Red alert for bad weather in Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna: schools and shops closed

Central Italy is once again grappling with awave of severe bad weather that has led the authorities to declare a red alert in several provinces of Emilia-Romagna and Tuscany. Heavy rains, floods and inundations are bringing many cities to their knees, causing closures of schools, shops and public facilities.and, in addition to transport difficulties and risks for the population.

Closures and extraordinary measures

In Tuscany, the red alert concerns the provinces of Florence, Prato, Pistoia and Pisa. The Arno has reached the first warning level in Florence, with a water level that has exceeded 3,7 meters. Local authorities are constantly monitoring the situation, fearing further increases that could lead to greater criticalities.

Due to adverse weather conditions, the mayor of Florence, Sara Funaro, has ordered the closure of libraries, museums and sports facilities, in addition to the suspension of cultural and sporting events. Schools of all levels will also remain closed until 14:15 p.m. on Saturday, March XNUMX. Civil protection has activated emergency teams to prevent any structural damage.

In Prato and Campi Bisenzio, the situation is equally serious, with closures of shops and businesses and numerous interventions by the fire brigade due to flooding in urban centres.

Even in Emilia-Romagna, the situation is equally worrying. I The Senio, Lamone and Santerno rivers have exceeded the alert thresholds, causing the evacuation of some areas and the preventive closure of many schools in the municipalities most at risk. The Civil Protection, in collaboration with Arpae, has the red alert for hydraulic and hydrogeological risk has been extended to Romagna, including the coast and the Apennines.

The provinces of Ravenna, Forlì-Cesena, Rimini, Bologna and Ferrara are among the most affected, with widespread flooding and traffic difficulties. Also for the day of tomorrow, Saturday 15 March, the red alert will remain in force, with particular attention to the Romagna plain and the coast.

Statements from the authorities

The governor of Tuscany, Eugenio Giani, declared that he had activated the Mobile Column of the Region and requested the mobilization of the National Civil Protection Service. even the Minister for Civil Protection, Nello Musumeci, expressed the government's closeness to the affected populations, underlining the importance of adopting structural prevention measures to reduce hydrogeological risk in the future.

Situation in the provinces involved

• Florence: The level of the Arno continues to rise, but remains below the second alert level. Shows, cultural and sporting events have been suspended, while libraries, parks and markets will remain closed until the alert ends.
• Prato and Campi Bisenzio: Heavy flooding has led to the closure of numerous commercial activities and the suspension of lessons in schools.
• Emilia Romagna: Attention is at its highest in the provinces of Ravenna, Forlì-Cesena, Rimini, Bologna and Ferrara, where rainfall is causing significant damage and the risk of landslides is increasing.
• Lucca: The orange alert has been extended until March 15, with serious criticalities in particular in Garfagnana, where a landslide blocked traffic on the Sr 445.
• Milano: The city is under yellow alert for hydrogeological risk until the morning of March 16.

Emergency and intervention plans

Local and national authorities are working to manage the emergency, with the Civil Protection and Fire Departments engaged in rescue operations in the most affected areas. The government is evaluating further support measures, including declaring a state of emergency for the most affected areas.

Forecasts and possible developments

According to meteorological experts, the disturbance that is hitting the Centre-North should ease in the next few hours, but sirocco winds could continue to negatively influence bad weather in the southern regions. The authorities urge citizens to exercise maximum caution and to follow updates in real time.

The institutions are closely following the evolution of the situation, underlining the need to strengthen policies for the prevention and adaptation to climate change. Minister Musumeci has announced a meeting with the presidents of the affected regions to discuss possible strategies for mitigating hydrogeological risk. In the meantime, The authorities invite the population to exercise maximum caution and to follow official updates to ensure safety.