Severe weather has wreaked havoc across Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna as heavy rainfall leads to rivers overflowing and widespread evacuations. At approximately 5:10 PM on March 14, 2025, the Lamone River’s peak has passed through Brisighella, Ravenna, resulting in flooding of houses and farmland nearby. According to Marta Farolfi, the vice-mayor of Brisighella, this flood has surpassed the level seen during 2023, prompting evacuations of around 30 to 40 families.
"We’ve had some flooding, and the areas surrounding the most at-risk locations are acting as natural expansion areas," Farolfi stated, noting concerns about the integrity of local bridges as workers remove debris. Meanwhile, the local sports field has also suffered flooding once again.
At 4:40 PM, Eugenio Giani, president of the Tuscany Region, reported improvements with the Rimaggio stream, which had receded after cleanup efforts. Nevertheless, he acknowledged damages and warned about remaining problematic areas: "The situation has improved, but we need to keep monitoring closely." Giani previously had inspected flooding issues at Sesto Fiorentino, where the stream overflowed, affecting the town's central square.
By 4:35 PM, due to the region's 'red' weather alert, all cultural sites and museums, including the historic monuments of Florence, were closed until conditions improve, as Florence experiences severe rainfall. Local authorities are vigilant, monitoring the weather closely and conducting meetings to assess risks related to these sudden changes.
Evacuations were also ordered for some families living near the Fossato and Montebonello regions of Pontassieve, demonstrating the widespread impact of this severe weather event. By 4:00 PM, residents were advised to make preparations for potential flooding.
Looking toward Pisa, at around 3:45 PM, Mayor Michele Conti announced the peak of the Arno River is expected between 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM. Conti assured the public, "Our civil protection system is actively responding. We’re on high alert as the river levels rise." Emergency teams have also been dispatched to respond proactively as the groundwater levels continue to rise.
Simultaneously, evacuations were taking place over at Imola, where about 35 residents were moved from their homes due to landslide risks, alongside reports flowing from the areas surrounding Bologna, which had experienced minor flooding. The Bologna community also shared updates of several road closures including Ponte Tosa and Ponte Viale Dante, as authorities urged the public to remain vigilant.
By 2:20 PM, reports confirmed the red weather alert extended throughout the Romagna region, affecting various other areas such as Forlì-Cesena and Rimini. This alert is expected to last through March 15, with the anticipation of more rainfall peaking.
From Modena, join the chorus of issues as local emergency services reported landslides, particularly on provincial roads, with various calls for urgent roadwork. Reports indicated fresh snowfall atop higher regions north of Modena, causing challenging driving conditions. Local authorities are deriving plans to address the land movement and prevent any dangerous situations.
Just after midday on March 14, all commercial activities were suspended throughout the municipalities affected, including both Prato and Campi Bisenzio, with warnings for citizens to avoid non-necessary travel. Florence’s regions are under strict advisories, urging residents to evacuate basements and low-lying areas for safety, as substantial damage is feared.
By 11:00 AM, as rainfall intensified at alarming rates, Florence experienced significant downpours, measuring 11.4 mm within just one hour. Gusty winds peaked at nearly 33 km/h.
By mid-morning, substantial portions of the A1 highway were closed due to flooding impacting safe travel. Meanwhile, several roads surrounding Florence town were blocked due to fallen trees and debris.
Emerging as the day wore on, it became clear the region's civil protection was commended for preparedness, mobilizing emergency efforts from the national civil protection service, as announced by Minister Nello Musumeci. He emphasized the need for state mobilization amid severe conditions, thanking teams already deployed to assess the situation.
More news poured down as the mayor of Bologna, Matteo Lepore, highlighted the perilous hours facing the city due to potentially swift rising water levels threatening residences. "We are evacuations underway, evidenced by rough waters already noted on some major roads," he reported.
The urgency across the regions has opened discussions surrounding necessary infrastructure improvements to combat potential flooding situations like this one, ensuring the area is equipped to handle torrential rains moving forward.
Indeed, with the Australian meteorological predictor classing this system as highly dangerous, every resident is reminded to practice extreme caution, benefiting from civil protection measures now firmly on the ground across Florence, Bologna, and beyond. Rain patterns continue to steer violent weather systems throughout the region, leading many to anticipate municipal response evaluations. The state of emergency allows authorities to mobilize aid swiftly for communities as adverse weather patterns persist through the coming days leading to predictions of widespread disruption.
The environmental agencies will release steady updates on conditions, focusing on rising waters and damage assessments over the next few days as local governments confer to adjust their strategies based on incoming weather information. The dire need for action amid such challenging conditions demonstrates the importance of community vigilance and collaboration among the various authorities engaged.