Storm Harry caused waves up to 16 metres (53 feet) high that devastated several coastal areas in the Sicily, Sardinia and Calabria regions, officials said.

"The current table on declared damage is 740 million" (euros, or $867 million), said governor Renato Schifani of Sicily, a popular tourist destination.

Schifani told Italian media it was "the most violent storm to hit Sicily in recent years".

Sardinia's governor Alessandra Todde has estimated damage costs for her region in the "hundreds of millions of euros".

Seaside roads, homes and restaurants were badly damaged in areas that are also popular with travellers.

Homes in coastal areas were evacuated but there were no injuries reported.

Fabio Ciciliano, head of Italy's civil protection agency, said weather warnings meant emergency services could prepare in time.

"There was prevention in the area to safeguard human life, and there were no deaths or injuries," he said.