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

Heavy rain swelled rivers and flooded streets in Florence on Friday, with authorities issuing a red weather alert for the historic Italian city and its surroundings, urging residents to stay indoors.

Several campuses of the University of Florence were also shut. The city also saw the closure of museums, cinemas, and theatres as a precautionary measure. The A1 motorway was partially closed and Florence’s residents warned not to travel as fallen trees and floodwater blocked roads.