Severe Weather in Italy: Aniene River Floods Rome as Snow Brings Motorway Disruption
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Rome is grappling with severe weather conditions after the Aniene River burst its banks, flooding roads and prompting closures across parts of the capital, while heavy snowfall caused major disruption on Italy’s main north–south motorway.
Following days of intense rainfall, the Aniene overflowed in several areas of Rome, leading authorities to shut sections of key roads, including stretches of major arterial routes, as a precautionary measure. Local police and civil protection units were deployed to manage traffic and assess damage, with some neighbourhoods experiencing significant waterlogging.
Emergency services reported dozens of call-outs related to flooding, fallen trees and water ingress into buildings. In at least one incident, residents were rescued from a basement apartment that had filled with water as river levels rose rapidly.
The situation in Rome forms part of a broader wave of extreme weather affecting large parts of Italy. A cold front has brought heavy rain to central regions and snowfall to higher elevations and northern areas, creating hazardous travel conditions.
On the A1 motorway, commonly known as the Autostrada del Sole, snow and ice led to temporary closures and long tailbacks, particularly in mountainous sections. Road operators mobilised around 400 snowploughs and support vehicles in an effort to keep traffic moving and prevent further disruption.
Authorities have issued weather alerts across multiple regions and urged motorists to avoid non-essential travel, warning that conditions may remain unstable. Further rainfall and snow are forecast, raising concerns about additional flooding and transport delays.
The combination of swollen rivers, persistent rain and snow highlights the strain being placed on infrastructure and emergency services, as Italy contends with one of the most challenging winter weather episodes of the season.
