Flood emergency declared after severe flooding strikes Portoferraio, Elba Island, Italy
A powerful storm system triggered severe flooding in Portoferraio, Elba Island, on February 14, 2025, following an intense downpour that brought 65 mm (2.56 inches) of rain in just one hour.
The heavy rainfall left dozens stranded, prompting emergency teams, including the Italian Civil Protection Department and firefighters, to carry out rescues across the region.
Three people trapped in their homes were evacuated, while 28 others stranded in vehicles on Portoferraio’s main roads were safely rescued from rising waters and mudslides. A dance school was also evacuated due to severe water accumulation.
The most critical rescue operations took place in the Casaccia and Via del Carburo areas, where homes were inundated, leaving some residents trapped.
“There are no injuries reported. At the moment it is not recommended to enter or even leave Portoferraio,” said Lorenza Burelli, Portoferraio’s councilor.
Streets have been flooded, access roads blocked, and emergency responders have carried out multiple rescues as water levels continue to rise. Schools, public facilities, and tourist sites have been shut down, with authorities urging residents to avoid travel.
In response to the crisis, all educational institutions including schools of all levels and daycare centers have been ordered to close. Public gardens, municipal and private sports facilities, city cemeteries, and municipal tourist sites have been shut down to ensure public safety.
Meteorologists continue to warn of an ongoing hydrogeological risk across Tuscany. The regional civil protection system has placed several areas under Yellow alert including Ombrone Gr-Medio, Etruria, Valdichiana, Valdelsa-Valdera, Valdarno Inferiore, Serchio-Garfagnana-Lima, and multiple regions within the Arno basin.
Forecasts indicate further unstable weather conditions, increasing concerns about additional flooding and landslides.
The extreme weather is part of a broader storm system that has impacted central Italy. Meteorological reports indicate that the low-pressure system responsible for the flooding will persist, with strong winds and snow expected in the central and northern Apennines at altitudes between 200 to 500 m (650 to 1 600 feet).
Heavy rainfall and localized thunderstorms are still expected on February 14 in Emilia-Romagna, Marche, and central Tyrrhenian regions. Snowfall is projected to affect higher elevations while wind speeds may reach storm levels, causing additional hazards.
The disturbance is expected to shift southward on February 15, affecting Sicily and the southern regions. Areas at risk include the Adriatic side of central Italy and southern Italy where continued heavy precipitation and strong winds could exacerbate existing damages.
Meteorologists predict that the weather system will begin to weaken on February 16, allowing conditions to stabilize in the affected regions.
References:
1 Downpour on Elba, in Portoferraio “flood emergency”: photos and video – meteo.it – February 14, 2025
2 Weather, bad weather in Italy: risk of torrential rains and strong winds. Forecasts from February 14 – meteo.it – February 14, 2025
Featured image credit: WEATHER WINDOW
Rishika holds a Master’s in International Studies from Stella Maris College, Chennai, India, where she earned a gold medal, and an MCA from the University of Mysore, Karnataka, India. Previously, she served as a Research Assistant at the National Institute of Advanced Studies, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, India. During her tenure, she contributed as a Junior Writer for Europe Monitor on the Global Politics website and as an Assistant Editor for The World This Week. Her work has also been published in The Hindu newspaper, showing her expertise in global affairs. Rishika is also a recipient of the Women Empowerment Award at the district level in Haryana, India, in 2022.
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