Italy's Florence and Pisa on alert as heavy rains bring floods to Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna regions

Heavy rain in the Italian regions of Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna has caused rivers to overflow. In the city of Florence, all schools and museums have been closed. So far, no deaths have been reported, but hundreds have been evacuated.

Southern European regions suffer from droughts again and again. Already early in the year Sardinia is hit strongly. A hard spring and summer are feared.

The Arno River, which crosses Florence and Pisa, has come out of bed. Faced with this crisis, more than 500 firefighters and 175 vehicles are mobilized in the region, according to the Italian Minister of the Interior.

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Yellow alert in 8 regions

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