Italy issues orange weather alert for Lombardy and several other regions as severe storms continue to sweep across the country, disrupting transportation, flooding roads, and damaging property. The Civil Protection Department raised the alert level for Lombardy, Tuscany, Lazio and Molise due to increased risks of flooding and thunderstorms. Yellow alerts are also in place across much of northern and central Italy.
Rome experienced intense overnight rainfall that flooded streets in both central and northwest districts. Strong winds brought down branches and caused scattered damage.
In Tuscany, a tornado struck the Versilia coast, damaging beach facilities in Tonfano and triggering widespread flooding in Massa and Carrara. Emergency crews responded to dozens of incidents as gusts exceeded 100 kilometers per hour in some areas.
Authorities temporarily shut parks and suspended outdoor activities in cities such as Florence, where thunderstorms with lightning were reported. In nearby areas, roads became impassable and some vehicles were trapped in flooded underpasses. Parts of Lunigiana also suffered from power outages and fallen trees.
Regional impacts worsen as storm moves south
In Veneto, a landslide caused a closure along State Road 51 near San Vito di Cadore. Elsewhere in the region, rainfall and debris disrupted traffic near Treviso. In Lombardy, Milan recorded up to 40 millimeters of rain in a few hours, triggering the Seveso River overflow system. Flooded roads were also reported in Pavia, Brianza, Varese, and along the lakeside in Como, where a landslide forced the closure of a state road.
Piedmont activated 65 municipal emergency centers in response to overflowing rivers and local flooding. Power outages affected nearly 2,000 homes, mainly in the Vercelli and Verbano-Cusio-Ossola areas. In Friuli Venezia Giulia, strong winds reaching up to 100 kilometers per hour toppled trees in towns including Udine and Pordenone, and caused localized flooding in multiple municipalities.
Campania and Liguria also face severe conditions. Public beaches in Naples were closed and local markets suspended as a precaution due to heavy rain and potential storm surges.
Forecast: More storms expected, brief relief ahead
According to meteorologists, the storm system is linked to Erin, a former hurricane now weakened into a low-pressure system. Its cold air from the Atlantic is clashing with summer heat over Italy, causing instability.
While northern and central regions continue to face storms, the south remains hot for now. However, rain is expected to extend further south by the end of the day.
The national forecast warns of more thunderstorms through the weekend. Conditions are expected to ease by Sunday, but another round of unsettled weather could return early next week.
