Severe Flooding and Landslides Hit Northern Italy as Red Alerts Issued for Florence and Pisa
Northern Italy is grappling with widespread flooding and landslides, as red weather alerts remain in place for Florence, Pisa, and other parts of Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna. Torrential rain has drenched the region, with more heavy downpours expected into Friday afternoon.
Tuscany’s regional president has warned residents to exercise “the utmost attention and caution”, as emergency services remain on high alert.
Florence Hit by a Month’s Worth of Rain in Hours
Florence experienced nearly a month’s worth of rain in just a few hours on Friday morning, doubling the city's average March rainfall of 61mm in just three days:
36mm fell overnight on Thursday
53mm fell in just six hours on Friday morning
36mm fell overnight on Thursday
53mm fell in just six hours on Friday morning
Meanwhile, Bologna saw landslides and mudslides, forcing evacuations on Thursday night as authorities braced for worsening conditions.
Rescues and Rising River Levels
A family of four was rescued from a landslide in Badia Prataglia, Tuscany, according to local reports.
The national fire brigade received dozens of emergency calls after the Rimaggio River overflowed in Sesto Fiorentino, Florence’s northern outskirts.
In Pisa, authorities erected flood defences along the Arno River, which has surpassed the first flood-risk level.
The national fire brigade received dozens of emergency calls after the Rimaggio River overflowed in Sesto Fiorentino, Florence’s northern outskirts.
In Pisa, authorities erected flood defences along the Arno River, which has surpassed the first flood-risk level.
Disruptions Across the Region
Roads flooded and trees collapsed, making travel dangerous.
Florence residents advised against all travel due to road closures.
A1 motorway partially shut down due to severe conditions.
Schools closed in over 60 municipalities in Tuscany.
Several campuses of the University of Florence shut down.
Florence residents advised against all travel due to road closures.
A1 motorway partially shut down due to severe conditions.
Schools closed in over 60 municipalities in Tuscany.
Several campuses of the University of Florence shut down.
More Rain on the Way Before Relief Arrives
The red weather alerts—signifying an extreme risk of flooding and landslides—will remain in place throughout Friday. Heavy rain and thunderstorms are expected to continue into Saturday, before conditions gradually improve.
Why Is Northern Italy Seeing Such Extreme Weather?
An area of high pressure in the North Atlantic has recently blocked low-pressure systems that typically pass northwest of the UK. Instead, these storms have been redirected towards the Mediterranean, bringing torrential rain to Italy.
A Region Still Recovering from Past Disasters
Some rivers in Emilia-Romagna were already swollen from recent storms.
More than 1,000 people were evacuated in September 2024 when Storm Boris struck the region.
In 2023, devastating floods killed 13 people after six months’ worth of rain fell in just 36 hours.
More than 1,000 people were evacuated in September 2024 when Storm Boris struck the region.
In 2023, devastating floods killed 13 people after six months’ worth of rain fell in just 36 hours.
The Role of Climate Change
Experts at the World Weather Attribution group say that climate change intensified the impacts of Storm Boris, making the flooding worse.
Europe is the fastest-warming continent, leading to:
More frequent and extreme rainfall events
More intense heatwaves
A hotter atmosphere that holds more moisture, increasing flood risks
More frequent and extreme rainfall events
More intense heatwaves
A hotter atmosphere that holds more moisture, increasing flood risks
As extreme weather events become more common and severe, Italy and the wider Mediterranean region will need to prepare for more frequent flooding disasters in the years ahead.
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