Following a prolonged period of severe drought, the Italian region of Emilia-Romagna was hit by heavy rains between May 2nd and 3rd, 2023. The provinces of Bologna and Ravenna experienced particularly heavy rainfall, leading to overflowing rivers in Romagna. This resulted in widespread damage in the plains and sadly claimed the lives of two individuals.
On May 12th, the Metropolitan City of Bologna was struck by a cloudburst, causing minor floods. The lingering effects of the drought and persistent inclement weather prevented the soil from adequately draining. Then, on May 16th, another storm known as Storm Minerva battered the region with heavy rain continuously for nearly two days. As a result, twenty-three rivers throughout Emilia-Romagna overflowed, leading to devastating floods. Tragically, these floods caused the loss of fifteen lives.