Heavy rains have wreaked havoc across Florence, Italy, causing severe flooding and prompting authorities to issue a red weather alert on March 14, 2025. The historic city, along with nearby areas, has been placed on high alert as residents face the threat of rising waters.
According to Eugenio Giani, head of the central Tuscany region, intense and persistent rain has left streets flooded and rivers swollen, urging citizens to exercise maximum care and attention. "The population is urged to exercise the utmost caution and to limit movements immediately," local authorities declared following a decision by Tuscany's civil protection service to raise the alert level from orange to red.
The national fire brigade reported numerous incidents, highlighting cars partially submerged under water, particularly visible in the Sesto Fiorentino neighborhood north of Florence's historic center. Dozens of requests for assistance have already come through, taxing the resources of local emergency services.
Schools, parks, and cemeteries across Florence and the nearby city of Prato were closed on Friday, March 14, as part of precautionary measures to protect the public. The closure followed previous warnings with the issuance of an amber alert—one step down from red—announced the day before.
Observations of the iconic Arno River, which flows through the heart of Florence, revealed it had already surpassed 'alert level 1,' raising concerns among environmental and disaster management experts about the potential for significant flooding. Giani assured the public, stating floodgates and expansion tanks were ready to be opened should flooding worsen.
The weather warning extends through provinces such as Emilia Romagna, where authorities expressed heightened concern. Two years prior, drastic floods had claimed 17 lives, and as rivers remained swollen from previous rain, local governments are prepared for any escalation. Similar warnings were issued across the northeastern region, and officials announced the situation was under control, at least for the moment, but more rain was forecast for later.
Meanwhile, images documented by the fire service depicted the extent of the flooding, showcasing emergency efforts with evacuations and rescues already underway due to landslides precipitated by the weather conditions. The state of emergency is reminiscent of the wrath of Storm Boris, which severely impacted the area last September, forcing the evacuation of over 1,000 individuals.
Notably, on the evening of March 13, before the main deluge hit, residents of Bologna were evacuated as precautionary measures began to take effect. Up until now, there have been no reports of casualties stemming from the recent downpours, as authorities continued to monitor the forecast carefully.
The rain has also affected the already fragile infrastructure, with fallen trees complicate travel and access. The A1 motorway was partially closed, leading to advice for residents against unnecessary travel. Florence's several campuses at the University of Florence were included on lists of closures.
"The worst of the flooding had passed by mid-morning," said municipal officials, as they reassured the public amid the chaos. Despite the concerning nature of the flooding, it remains to be seen how the next round of rain due to fall will affect recovery efforts. The historical impact of climate events such as these has raised broader discussions about global climate change and its role not only regionally but globally.
This relentless series of storms reveals Europe’s increased vulnerability due to climate change, with scientists arguing elevated temperatures play their part. The warmer climate hosts the capacity for severe weather extremes, contributing to frequent instances of extreme rainfall and catastrophic flooding.
The red weather alerts for Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna are set to remain through the day, reflecting the growing challenges residents face as they come to grips with nature's fury. Emergency services remain on standby, and local authorities stress the need for vigilance as mother nature continues to press her might upon the historical cities of Italy.