Emilia Romagna 2024 Floods: Is Bologna Safe?

In September 2024, Emilia-Romagna faced another devastating flood disaster, primarily affecting cities like Ravenna, Faenza, and smaller towns near the overflowing rivers of Senio, Lamone, and Marzeno. Torrential rains from Storm Boris led to widespread evacuations and infrastructure damage. As flooding ravaged these areas, many are left wondering about the safety of Bologna, one of the region’s largest cities.

Understanding the Impact Zones

The hardest-hit areas during the floods were towns and smaller cities close to the rivers, such as Faenza, Lugo, and Bagnacavallo. These towns are located in the flat plains of Emilia-Romagna, where water from the swollen rivers has spread across large areas of farmland and into urban centers. The overflow of the Senio, Marzeno, and Lamone rivers caused significant damage in these areas, forcing evacuations and leading to submerged homes and infrastructure​(CNA)​(ANSA.it).

Bologna, though part of the Emilia-Romagna region, was largely spared from the direct impacts of the severe flooding. The worst of the flooding occurred to the east and southeast of Bologna, around Ravenna and Forlì-Cesena. These cities are closer to the rivers that overflowed due to the relentless rain​(ANSA.it)​(L’Unione Sarda.it).

The Safety of Bologna

Bologna, as a major city and regional capital, is located approximately 50-70 kilometers (about 30-45 miles) west of the hardest-hit areas, like Faenza and Ravenna. This distance has helped shield Bologna from the immediate effects of the floods. While some of the outer areas of Bologna saw heavy rainfall and minor disruptions, such as road closures and public transport limitations, the city itself was not part of the major evacuation zones, and its rivers did not experience catastrophic overflow​(CNA).

Additionally, Bologna’s urban infrastructure is better equipped to handle excessive rainfall compared to smaller towns and rural areas, reducing the risk of severe flooding. However, certain areas of Bologna’s province, particularly towards the southeast, were affected by landslides and localized flooding as the extreme weather pushed its limits across the region. For instance, areas in the Bologna province such as Budrio experienced the overflow of smaller rivers like the Idice​(ANSA.it).

Key Factors That Kept Bologna Safe

1. Geographical Position: Bologna is situated slightly higher and farther inland compared to the coastal and low-lying areas of Emilia-Romagna that were more vulnerable to flooding. Its distance from the primary rivers like the Senio, Marzeno, and Lamone helped shield it from the worst impacts of the floods.
2. Infrastructure: As a larger city, Bologna benefits from more robust flood-prevention systems, such as better drainage networks and urban planning, which are designed to cope with heavy rainfall.
3. Government Preparedness: Authorities in Emilia-Romagna, learning from previous floods, have implemented efficient warning systems and emergency response plans. Bologna was under alert, but the severity of the floods did not necessitate evacuations in the central city. The city’s officials were prepared to take action, should the situation worsen, but for now, Bologna remains relatively safe​(Shropshire Star).

Conclusion: Bologna’s Relative Safety in Context

While cities and towns along the rivers of Emilia-Romagna faced serious threats during the 2024 floods, Bologna, due to its location and infrastructure, was largely protected from the direct impacts. However, residents of Bologna should remain vigilant, as weather patterns continue to grow more unpredictable with climate change. Although Bologna escaped the worst of the 2024 floods, the city, like the rest of the region, may face future risks that require ongoing vigilance and adaptation.

For residents and visitors, it’s important to monitor local weather alerts and advisories, especially as Emilia-Romagna remains under the red alert for extreme weather conditions​(ANSA.it)​(Shropshire Star).