Lombardy seeks emergency state as severe weather batters northern Italy
Severe storms and landslides strike northern and central Italy, causing evacuations and driving Lombardy to request a state of emergency.
Heavy rainfall, severe storms, and high winds have struck northern and central regions of Italy following a prolonged heatwave, causing widespread flooding, power outages, and infrastructural damage.
In Lombardy, where precipitation surpassed 250 millimetres in some areas, swelling rivers and landslides resulted in collapsed bridges, interrupted rail lines, and isolated mountain communities. Local officials evacuated around 400 people, prompting Lombardy Regional President Attilio Fontana to request a formal state of emergency from the national government.
Elsewhere, Tuscany experienced approximately 23,000 lightning strikes, leaving thousands of homes without electricity due to fallen trees and structural damage. Firefighters performed over 1,000 emergency rescue operations across affected areas as forecasters warned of continued atmospheric instability.
Sources: ANSA, Corriere della Sera, Il Messaggero, Il Sole 24 Ore, La Repubblica
Sources
- La Repubblica — Meteo, tregua apparente: temporali forti in serata al Nord. Ma il giorno più difficile sarà giovedì
- ANSA — Maltempo al nord: nella Bergamasca sei paesi isolati, 350 evacuati. Tromba d'aria a Rapallo
- Il Sole 24 Ore — Maltempo, in Toscana 23mila fulmini e alberi abbattuti: 6mila utenze senza elettricità. Temporali in Lombardia
- Corriere della Sera — Maltempo, la Lombardia chiede lo stato di emergenza: 400 evacuati tra frane e allagamenti
- Il Messaggero — Allerta meteo oggi in quattro regioni per forti temporali e raffiche di vento: zone a rischio e previsioni
Earlier coverage
- Aug 31, 2026, 04:00 AM UTCLombardy requests state of emergency after severe weather hits northern Italy
- Aug 30, 2026, 04:30 AM UTCLombardy requests state of emergency following severe storms across northern Italy
- Aug 20, 2026, 10:00 AM UTCRising temperatures and extreme weather drive growing ecological and climate risks