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.