Severe Weather and Earthquakes Impact Italy, Prompting Widespread Disruptions
Flooding in Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna and seismic activity in southern Italy have caused evacuations, infrastructure damage, and heightened alert levels.
- Heavy rains since March 10 have led to significant flooding in Tuscany, isolating nine towns and displacing 248 residents in the Florence province.
- The Arno River in Pisa and Florence reached critical levels, prompting authorities to close schools, museums, and major landmarks, including Florence's cathedral and Uffizi Gallery.
- Severe weather in Emilia-Romagna caused over 100 liters of rainfall per square meter in some areas, resulting in road closures, eroded infrastructure, and evacuations.
- Southern Italy experienced earthquakes, including a 4.6 magnitude tremor in Apulia and a 3.5 magnitude quake near Naples, with no major injuries reported but structural assessments ongoing.
- Italian authorities, including Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, have pledged government support for affected regions, while disaster response teams remain on high alert.