Severe Flooding Hits Northern and Central Italy, Causing Widespread Damage
Heavy rainfall in Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna has led to evacuations, infrastructure disruptions, and damages estimated at over 100 million euros.
- Unprecedented rainfall in Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna caused rivers, including the Arno, to rise dangerously, prompting evacuations of over 250 residents in Florence and nearby areas.
- Florence narrowly avoided major flooding, thanks to its hydraulic safety systems, but surrounding areas, including Pisa and San Piero a Sieve, suffered significant damage from overflowing rivers and mudslides.
- Emilia-Romagna experienced severe flooding, with cities like Bologna, Ravenna, and Modena heavily affected, leading to school closures, infrastructure damage, and evacuations in vulnerable areas.
- Meteorologists noted the unusual intensity of the rainfall for March, attributing it in part to warmer-than-usual Mediterranean waters, though definitive links to climate change remain under study.
- Authorities have issued ongoing weather warnings, with local governments urging caution and requesting national emergency status to expedite relief efforts.