On Tuesday, January 28, 2025, powerful storms across Tuscany and Liguria led to significant flooding, landslides, and infrastructure damage.
In Florence, a sudden and intense downpour, referred to as a “water bomb,” struck early in the morning. The Oltrarno and Galluzzo districts were particularly affected, with streets submerged and traffic disrupted. Local police reported several areas of the city experiencing severe flooding.
Liguria Experiences Landslides and River Overflows
Liguria also bore the brunt of the severe weather. In Genoa, a wall collapsed due to the storm’s intensity, prompting firefighters to search the debris to ensure no individuals were trapped underneath. Overnight, the Entella River broke its banks in Chiavari, leading to significant flooding. Additionally, a landslide in Valfontanabuona forced four families to evacuate their homes for safety reasons.
Authorities issued a red weather alert for the Tigullio area, remaining in effect until early Tuesday afternoon, while an orange alert was declared for Genoa. In northern Tuscany, an orange alert was enforced due to the heightened risk of landslides and river flooding. The town of Mulazzo, near Massa Carrara, recorded over 216 millimetres of rainfall in the past 24 hours. The Magra and Bagnone rivers reached critical flood warning levels and are under close observation.
This event is part of a series of severe weather incidents that have impacted Italy in recent months. In October 2024, over 200 millimetres of rain fell on Liguria and Tuscany within 18 hours, triggering severe floods and multiple landslides. Emergency services responded to numerous incidents, including road closures and disrupted transport services.
Meteorologists forecast that storms will continue to affect central Tuscany later on Tuesday, raising concerns about further damage and disruptions. Residents are advised to stay informed about weather updates and adhere to safety advisories issued by local authorities.
