Between September 18 and 19, 2024, Storm Boris, which has been battering Central and Eastern Europe for several days—causing severe damage to transport infrastructure from Poland to Austria—hit Italy, particularly the Adriatic region between Romagna and Marche. Several rivers in these two regions have overflowed, flooding urban areas. So far, around a thousand people have been displaced. The storm has also led to interruptions in both rail and road traffic.
The railway situation is constantly evolving, with closures and reopenings occurring due to flooding or landslides. Romagna is particularly affected, where, on the morning of September 19, train service was suspended between Faenza and Forlì, Portomaggiore and Ravenna, and between Varano and Loreto (in the Marche region). Rail travel along the Adriatic route between Faenza and Pescara is practically at a standstill.
The severe weather has also led to the closure of several roads, including the Adriatic State Road in the municipality of Ancona due to flooding, and the State Road 361 Septempedana, also in Ancona. State Road 16 was preemptively closed for three kilometers in Ravenna (near the Lamone River). The Italian road agency, ANAS, has also reported lane reductions on State Roads 67 Tosco-Romagnola, 65 della Futa, 9 Via Emilia, and 3bis in the provinces of Forlì-Cesena and Bologna.
No airport closures have been reported, but adverse weather conditions could lead to flight delays or cancellations. The Adriatic Sea is reported to be very rough, potentially causing navigation difficulties.
