FFipzz

Hi Fodorites. Does Rome gets flooded in mid-May? Which could close roads from FCO to Centro Storico?

Forecast says next week on my arrival day that there will be rain and thunderstorm from 6 am to 11 am. I arrive late morning at FCO. After clearing customs, maybe around 11:30 am I should be on way way from FCO to Centro (Pantheon, Navona area) in my private car with driver.

If the forecast is right, rain from 6 am to 11 am, will this rain cause flooding in roadways from FCO to Pantheon, Navona area? Which means, me or other FCO arriving passengers can't get to Centro Storico by car?

PalenQ

Well why not ask your hired private driver that question - he is more an expert on that than anyone on Fodor's, right?

I've never heard of any flooding problem in Rome.

FFipzz

I did ask the driver/service and he said he's somewhat new to the area or Rome so he has not experienced flooding. But car service did not exactly address my question about it. Our emails have a bit of a language barrier I think.

That's why I posted this question here just in case the people who post here have had experiences in Rome in the rain which resulted in flooding or Non-flooding especially from FCO to Centro roadways.

Dukey1

You are, IMO, worried about something which is probably inconsequential. In VENICE they know about "flooding" OTOH.

indyhiker

If you google Rome and floods, it appears flooding typically happens only after days of heavy rain. I have read nothing to suggest that a morning of thunderstorms would be enough to flood the city. Frankly, if there is any flooding, there's seemingly little you can do about it so why worry about it? Not trying to be snarky, but I think you'd have to just roll with it regardless of what you learn here.

RonZ

Don't pack the hip boots--you'll get there; don't worry!

palatino82

I have good friends in Rome and have visited almost yearly and in 14 years have never heard of flooding problems.

nytraveler

I don't know what there is in Rome to flood. the Tiber is tiny and I can't imagine it would flood unless you had a week of pouring rain.

Are you sure they are saying rain is the problem - or is the problem getting the car into the pedestrian only zone?

PalenQ

If worried take the train in from FCO - it runs on raised tracks most or all of the way it seems.

RonZ

Raised tracks. LOL

vinoroma

Flooding does happen in Rome, maybe around once a year. The kind that disturbs traffic in some streets, especially some underpasses, and floods street level and lower apartments in some areas is not due to the river but heavy rains. But this usually happens after very heavy rains, which are not bound to happen in may. Long days of heavy rains, especially in the winter or early spring make the tiber flood and cover the pedestrian area, sometimes significantly, but the walls contain it from flooding any part of the city. I think it hasn't happened in over 250 years.
In my 8,5 years here, we once really had a problem getting from fco to the center due to rain but that was a time even the planes were not allowed to take off and land (we had brought someone to the airport) and really really extreme. I wouldn't worry about it.

FFipzz

Thank you Fodorites. Based on the responses here, I know what to expect. There may be rain, but in all probability I will not get stuck at FCO upon arrival due to floods. I already planned my Rome days to be flexible to the wet weather.

I now have to bring my comfy footwear, wedge with 1-2 inches semi-platform closed shoes, that can withstand some Roman puddles. . This is the least bulkiest footwear I have. Comfy on the cobblestones yet dressy enough for dinners with a dress.

Honestly, aside from flooding. I was concerned about comfy footwear in the rain. I travel light and like my footwear to be small, comfy, and mutifunctional. Originally, I had planned on cute flat summer sandals. I'm going to be in the southern resorts after Rome.

The past week, it was supposed to rain on Tues, Thurs, and Sat. But no rain just pleasant sunny weather. I can only hope that this coming week forecast is off too. But at least, Campania region and the southern Costiera, will be clear when I get there later part of my trip. In Rome, I can just do aperitivo or long lunches when I get caught in a deluge, visit more museums, stores, and churches.

vinoroma

Ps: i meant 150, 250 was a typo: at the piazza in front of the pantheon you can see the flood level markers from 1870.

PalenQ

The Vatican Museums and St Peter's etc is rain-proof- if raining head to Church!