Violent storms in Tuscany – civil protection issues warning

The Italian regions of Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna hit violent storms. Italian civil protection published warnings of the highest level for parts of the regions popular with holidaymakers. These also apply to the cities of Florence and Pisa in Tuscany and Bologna in the Emilia-Romagna. It has rained heavily there since morning. At first there was no major damage or victims.

In Tuscany, schools in some cities remained closed on Friday. In Florence, museums, cinemas and theaters were also closed according to a regulation of the city administration, and some shops also made it earlier than usual. The Arno river in the Tuscan city in particular is concerned about the authorities. The river rose threatening during the day.

The warnings of civil protection initially apply up to and including Saturday. On Friday evening there were floods in several cities and municipalities of Tuscany. According to the Ansa news agency, people also had to be evacuated there for safety's sake. In Bologna, the authorities ordered the evacuation of ground floors in houses.

The two regions had already been hit by violent storms and floods in recent years. Several people were killed. The authorities therefore make the highest caution.