A torrential rainstorm hits Naples, causing flooding and disruption: mud on Mount Epomeo. The church of San Gaetano in Forio is closed.

The severe weather is part of the ongoing disturbance affecting the Tyrrhenian regions. A violent storm hit Naples around 11:30 a.m. today, bringing heavy rain, lightning, and strong gusts of wind. The weather conditions quickly caused traffic disruptions and flooding in the most vulnerable areas of the city.

Naples, storm and city in difficulty

A veritable torrential downpour, with brief but intense showers, affected several areas of Naples. The Civil Protection Department had warned of the possibility of locally strong showers and thunderstorms, accompanied by gusts of wind, hail, and frequent electrical activity.

 In Giugliano, the entrance area to the hospital's emergency room was flooded.

Problems were reported in the northern hinterland. In Giugliano, the hospital emergency room access area flooded. Some streets in Qualiano and Villaricca became rivers. Due to the heavy rainfall, a protest for legality called by the City of Naples in the Scampia neighborhood was also interrupted.

Ischia, lightning strikes the church of San Gaetano

Lightning struck the dome of the historic church of San Gaetano in Forio, on the island of Ischia, overnight, causing considerable damage and the closure of the religious building. The electrical discharge struck the church during a violent storm that hit the island, accompanied by thunder, lightning, and incessant rain.

The lightning strike caused significant portions of plaster and other material to detach from the interior of the dome. Rubble and debris fell to the church floor, including near the altar. The parish priest, Father Beato Scotti, ordered the church closed pending assessments of the dome's stability and the necessary repairs and safety measures.

The 17th-century church of San Gaetano, built on the initiative of Forian sailors and fishermen, is one of the most characteristic religious buildings in the historic center of the island municipality, recognizable by its large yellow dome overlooking the harbor.

Serrara Fontana, 61 millimeters and debris from Epomeo

The Serrara Fontana area was particularly hard hit, with over 61 millimeters of rainfall recorded. The heavy rainfall swept mud, rocks, and debris from the summit of Mount Epomeo onto the roads below, causing accumulations of debris and traffic disruptions.

The most critical situations were in Piazza Arturo Trofa and in the Cavonera area, where part of the roadway was flooded with debris. From the early hours of the morning, personnel and equipment were deployed to remove the debris and restore traffic flow.

Yellow alert until 15pm

The yellow weather alert issued by the Campania Region's Civil Protection Department remains in effect on the island until 3:00 PM due to the risk of thunderstorms and landslides.