Florence and Pisa on alert as flooding hits northern Italy

Flooding and landslides have been reported in parts of northern Italy amid red weather alerts affecting cities including Florence and Pisa.

Torrential rain prompted the alert for parts of Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna, with heavy and persistent rainfall expected into the afternoon on Friday.

Tuscany’s president said local rescue and health services were on high alert and advised residents to exercise “the utmost attention and caution”.

Landslides and mudslides were reported in Bologna, where some residents were evacuated on Thursday evening ahead of heavy overnight rain.

No casualties were reported, and the city said the worst of the flooding had passed by mid-morning on Friday.

A family of four was rescued from a landslide in Badia Prataglia, Tuscany on Thursday evening, according to local media.

The national fire brigade said it had received dozens of calls after the Rimaggio flooded and flowed through the Sesto Fiorentino area on Florence’s northern outskirts.

In Pisa, flood defences were being erected at the Arno river as local authorities warned it had surpassed the first flood-risk level.

Roads were also affected by flooding and fallen trees, with residents in Florence advised against all travel after the A1 motorway was partially closed.

Schools were shut in more than 60 municipalities in Tuscany, local media reported, as were several campuses of the University of Florence.

The red weather alerts – indicating serious risk of extreme and widespread flooding – are set to continue throughout the day.