A Friday of fear gripped Tuscany as the region faced heavy rainfall and severe flooding. Florence and Pisa, two of the region’s main cities, were on high alert as the Arno police River swelled to alarming levels, leading to major disruptions and emergency measures.
Red Alert Issued for Several Provinces
At noon on Friday, the Italian Civil Protection Agency issued a red alert for severe weather in the provinces of Prato, Pistoia, Florence, Pisa, and Livorno. The situation remained critical in Pisa, where authorities extended the red alert until late Saturday afternoon. In Florence, however, the alert was downgraded to orange from 1 PM on Saturday, allowing the reopening of museums and libraries while keeping parks closed.
Flooding and Evacuations Across the Region
The impact of the storm has been widespread:
• Emergency Response Centers reported that 1,471 citizens in 14 municipalities were isolated, while 248 people were evacuated.
• In Florence, the Arno River exceeded 4 meters on Saturday night but remained well below the second-level warning threshold of 5.5 meters.
• In Pisa, the Arno reached the second-level warning mark, peaking at around 5 meters overnight.
• In Vicchio, the Sieve River overflowed, leading to an emergency rescue of a man stranded in the water.
• Sesto Fiorentino (Florence) saw the Rimaggio stream overflow in the city center, flooding nearby streets.
Road Closures and Transportation Disruptions
The heavy rains have also caused major disruptions on Tuscany’s road network.
According to Anas, Italy’s road authority, several key routes remain affected:
• On the SS12 (Abetone and Brennero highway) near San Marcello Piteglio (Pistoia), traffic is reduced to a single alternating lane.
• The SS67 Tosco-Romagnola highway is closed in Rufina (Florence) due to flooding near residential areas and at Empoli, where a tunnel has been submerged.
• In Collesalvetti (Livorno), one lane of the SS67bis Tosco-Romagnola remains closed due to water accumulation.
Empoli Hit Hard by Flooding
The Empoli area has been particularly affected, with entire neighborhoods submerged. Fields and houses near the Marcignana road remain underwater, as do parts of the Terrafino district. Emergency teams evacuated 14 people with mobility issues, transferring them to local hospitals and assisted living facilities. The Busoni school gym has been set up as an emergency shelter for potential evacuees.
Empoli Mayor Alessio Mantellassi described the situation as a full-scale flood, stating:
“We are trying to clear blocked water in the Ponzano district by redirecting it into the Rio stream. The operation is working, but progress is slow. We are now opening another outlet into the Cappuccini stream. This is a real flood, and we must treat it as such.”
Florence Lowers Alert Level but Remains Cautious
At 1:30 PM on Saturday, Florence Mayor Sara Funaro announced that the city’s alert level was reduced from red to orange. Despite the improvement, she urged caution:
“The Arno is receding, and volunteers are helping clear basements. Monitoring continues across all waterways, with the orange alert remaining until midnight. We are reopening some roads, such as Via Fortini and Via Villamagna, and there are no major issues with underpasses.”
A new ordinance keeps markets closed through Sunday and parks and cemeteries closed until Monday evening. However, cultural and sports activities will resume, and schools will reopen on Monday.
Isolated Communities and Landslides
Rescue operations continue in 14 municipalities where people remain isolated due to floods and landslides. The most affected areas include Capraia e Limite, Fucecchio, Rufina, Scandicci, and Sesto Fiorentino. Additionally, in nine other towns—including Barberino di Mugello, Borgo San Lorenzo, Calenzano, and Marradi—landslides have left residents stranded.
The situation remains critical in Vaglia, particularly in the Paterno district, where a major landslide has cut off a municipal road.
Tuscany Governor Requests National Emergency Status
Given the extent of the damage, Tuscany’s Governor Eugenio Giani has formally requested national emergency status.
“We need swift intervention for the affected communities. I am determined to defend my land and my fellow citizens,” he stated.
Outlook: Recovery and Vigilance
As water levels slowly recede, emergency teams remain on high alert. Authorities are urging residents to remain cautious, as further rainfall is expected. The next few days will be crucial in assessing the full impact of the floods and beginning the recovery process.
For continuous updates, follow local government announcements and emergency bulletins.