Heavy rains has hit the northern Italian regions of Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna, pushing the main rivers in the regions above alert levels for floodings.

Florence, Pisa on flood alert as heavy rain closes museums and roads - Residents have been evacuated as several major rivers threaten to burst their banks

Romagna, with the Arno threatening to flood in Florence and Pisa. Schools closed, lower floors in the riverbed evacuated as a precaution. Problems on roads and railways

There has been flooding and landslides in parts of northern Italy as red alerts cover cities including Florence and Pisa. Torrential rain prompted the alerts for parts of Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna, with heavy and persistent rainfall expected into the afternoon on Friday.

Florence and Pisa have overcome the critical phase of bad weather, but the red alert remains active in several provinces of Tuscany. Red alert also in Emilia Romagna