Severe rainstorm triggers orange alerts and school closures across six Italian regions
A strong Atlantic low is bringing heavy rain, thunderstorms and strong winds to much of Italy, prompting orange alerts in six regions and widespread school closures.
An Atlantic disturbance now affecting most of Italy has produced intense rain, hail and gusty winds, leading Protezione Civile to issue orange alerts for Liguria, part of Piemonte, Veneto, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Lazio and Campania, while sixteen additional regions face yellow warnings. The storm is especially dangerous along the Tyrrhenian coast, where flash floods are feared. Schools have been cancelled in Naples and several municipalities of Salerno, Caserta, Avellino and Benevento provinces, as well as in La Spezia until 14:00 and in Anzio.
Authorities have closed parks, cemeteries and markets in some areas. Firefighters and police are clearing fallen trees, securing flooded zones and rescuing stranded motorists, with notable interventions on Elba, the Livorno coast, Sardinia and in Liguria where a rock blocked the SS1 Aurelia. Meteorologist Giulio Betti of the Cnr expects the system to weaken by evening and move toward the Balkans, with only a slight drop in temperatures.
Why it matters
The storm disrupts daily life, threatens flooding and forces closures, affecting thousands of residents across Italy.
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