Severe Weather Prompts School Closures Across Puglia

Several municipalities in the Puglia region ordered the closure of all schools of every grade and level for Monday, November 2, following an orange weather alert issued by regional civil protection authorities. The severe weather warnings predict intense rainfall, heavy thunderstorms, strong winds, and potential hail across the region.

The emergency measures coincide with the traditional Day of the Dead commemoration, impacting municipal plans and public events. Mayors across multiple cities signed precautionary ordinances to ensure public and private safety as autumn storms sweep through southern Italy.

In Lecce, Mayor Adriana Poli Bortone issued an ordinance closing all educational facilities, public parks, the municipal stadium, and the local cemetery. The city also activated its Municipal Operations Center to monitor critical areas, including the coastline at Torre Chianca and the mouth of the Idume Basin. Traditional institutional visits to the cemetery were canceled.

Municipalities such as Brindisi, Barletta, Trani, San Severo, Molfetta, and Bisceglie implemented similar preventative shutdowns. In Brindisi, authorities closed all schools, parks, public gardens, and the city cemetery for the entire day. Trani ordered the closure of schools alongside Villa Guastamacchia, the public park, the municipal library, and the cemetery.

Local approaches to cemetery access varied depending on local weather evaluations. While cities like Lecce, Brindisi, and Molfetta kept their cemeteries completely closed, San Severo opted to keep its facility open for visitors during modified hours, planning an early closure at 5:00 PM to protect public safety. Molfetta indicated that an afternoon opening might be considered if weather conditions improved, though scheduled cemetery events like Mass and a sunset concert were postponed.

Public officials strongly urged residents to exercise maximum caution, limit non-essential travel, and avoid parking near wooded areas or public parks. Citizens were specifically warned against attempting to cross flooded underpasses during heavy downpours as emergency crews remain on active alert to monitor hydrogeological hazards.