Severe Rainfall Floods Italian Island of Elba, Forcing Evacuations

Heavy downpours submerged streets and buildings on Elba, prompting rescues and warnings as extreme weather also impacted mainland Tuscany.

Over 65 liters of rain per square meter fell on Elba in just over an hour, causing widespread flooding in the island's largest town, Portoferraio.
At least 47 people were rescued by emergency services, including those trapped in cars, homes, a pizzeria, and a dance school with minors inside.
Authorities urged residents to stay indoors and avoid travel, as key roads in Portoferraio were rendered impassable by water and mud.
Flooding and heavy rains also affected mainland Tuscany, including cities like Florence, Lucca, and Siena, with concerns about rising river levels.
The extreme weather follows months of severe storms in the region, highlighting the growing frequency of destructive weather events in Italy.