A powerful storm struck Rome on September 3, 2024, causing widespread damage and flooding across the Italian capital. The most notable incident was a lightning strike that damaged the historic Arch of Constantine, a 25-meter-tall monument built in 315 AD to commemorate Emperor Constantine’s victory over Maxentius. The Colosseum Archaeological Park reported that fragments of the arch fell due to the strike, but were quickly recovered and secured.The storm, described as a ‘downburst’ by Rome’s mayor Roberto Gualtieri, dumped over 80 millimeters of rain per square meter in the historic center within an hour – equivalent to a month’s worth of rainfall in autumn. Wind gusts reached up to 90 km/h, knocking down trees and causing widespread disruption. The sudden and intense nature of the storm caught the city off guard, with residents describing ‘apocalyptic scenes’ of flooded streets, metro stations, and squares.The incident has reignited discussions about climate change and its impact on historical landmarks. Mayor Gualtieri stated, ‘It is increasingly clear that the question of climate change and its impact on our lives is now inevitable’. Experts attribute the intense storm to record-high temperatures in the Mediterranean Sea, which have been contributing to extreme weather events in Italy this summer.As Rome assesses the damage and begins recovery efforts, other parts of Italy are bracing for more severe weather. The Italian Civil Protection has issued yellow and orange alerts for several regions, including Emilia-Romagna, Lombardy, and Liguria, warning of potential thunderstorms, heavy rain, and strong winds in the coming days. Meteorologists predict that a cyclone from Iceland will bring another round of bad weather, particularly to the northwest regions of the country.
Key points
- The Arch of Constantine in Rome was damaged by a lightning strike during a severe storm on September 3, 2024.
- The storm in Rome dumped a month’s worth of rain in an hour, causing widespread flooding and damage.
- The incident has sparked discussions about climate change’s impact on historical landmarks.
- Other parts of Italy are under weather alerts, expecting more severe storms in the coming days.
Contradictions👾There are slight discrepancies in the reported amount of rainfall, with some sources citing 60mm and others 80mm of rain in an hour.
