Repubblica station closed and traffic chaos as city downgrades weather alert

Schools in Rome reopened on 7 November after a "code red" weather alert the day before prompted the city to order their closure as well as advise motorists to drive only if absolutely necessary.

The weather alert has now been downgraded to “code orange” but traffic in Rome on 7 November is heavy as a result of floods, fallen trees and closed streets.

The city's Repubblica metro station is closed due to flooding while there are numerous delays on north-bound trains, including the train service to Fiumicino airport. Despite the severe warnings, the deluge was nowhere near as bad as many expected.

However city officials have defended their actions amid claims of over-reacting. Rome's police prefect Giuseppe Pecoraro described the measures as "essential" while the capital's environment councillor Estella Marino justified the schools' closure, stating that the peak of rainfall fell during the schools' normal opening time.

Rome's mayor Ignazio Marino faced criticism for leaving the capital for the day to attend a meeting in Milan.

For full traffic updates see Muoversi a Roma website.