ROME, ITALY / EuroWire / — A violent storm and tornado struck northern Rome on Wednesday, flooding streets, bringing down trees and disrupting traffic across several districts after heavy rain and strong winds swept through the Italian capital. The damage was concentrated in Prati Fiscali, Conca d’Oro and Montesacro, where roads were blocked by fallen branches, debris and water. Authorities reported no serious injuries, while local disruption affected drivers, public transport users, residents and market traders during the morning commute.
The storm hit after an unstable weather system moved across parts of Italy, bringing rain, thunderstorms, gusts and localized hail risks to central and southern regions. In Rome, the impact was most visible in the north and northeast of the city, where a tornado or tornado like wind event uprooted trees, damaged vehicles, shifted street furniture and tore through outdoor market areas. Flooding was also reported in Nomentano, Salario and Parioli, slowing traffic on roads already busy after the Republic Day holiday period.
A tree fell on the Tangenziale Est after the Salaria exit, affecting vehicles and blocking circulation, while fallen trees and flooding forced the closure of a section near Via dei Campi Sportivi. A pine tree came down on the roof of a fuel station on Via dei Prati Fiscali, and damage was reported at the market on Via Val di Lanzo, where stalls and umbrellas were hit by the wind. Some residents reported broken windows and damage to parked cars.
Transport corridors disrupted
Roma Servizi per la Mobilità said the Tangenziale section between Tor di Quinto and Campi Sportivi toward San Giovanni reopened later in the day, while a road near Salaria toward the stadium was closed for tree removal. Via Salaria remained closed near Via del Prato della Signora toward the Grande Raccordo Anulare, and Viale della Moschea reopened near Via Anna Magnani toward Foro Italico after earlier disruption linked to the storm.
The transport agency also reported heavy delays and route diversions on bus lines 38, 60, 63, 69, 80, 88, 92, 93, 311, 338, 351 and 435. Fallen branches on Via dei Prati Fiscali contributed to heavy traffic in the northeast quadrant. The disruption affected key routes used to connect residential districts with central Rome and the ring road, forcing traffic managers and emergency crews to prioritize blocked carriageways, damaged roadside infrastructure and bus diversions.
Civil protection warnings preceded storms
Italy’s Civil Protection Department had issued a weather notice before the storm, warning that scattered showers and thunderstorms would extend from Liguria and Tuscany into Lazio, Umbria, Marche, Abruzzo, Molise, Campania and Puglia. The notice cited the potential for intense downpours, strong wind gusts, local hail and frequent lightning. Lazio Regional Civil Protection also issued an alert for weather related hydrogeological and hydraulic risks, valid from the early hours of Wednesday for 12 to 18 hours.
The Rome storm formed part of a broader spell of severe weather affecting Italy at the start of June, with alerts in several regions and disruption reported beyond the capital. In Rome, emergency response focused on clearing fallen trees, reopening blocked roads, restoring traffic flow and assessing damage to vehicles, public infrastructure and commercial areas. By Wednesday afternoon, some routes had reopened, but closures, delays and diversions continued in the worst affected northern and northeastern districts.