“Recent Flooding in Northern Italy: Thousands Evacuated, Imola Circuit Closed”

In the north of Italy, heavy and prolonged rainfall has led to flooding. According to local media, thousands of people have already been evacuated. The Emilia-Romagna region has been particularly affected.

In the city of Cesena, streets are flooded and people had to be rescued from rooftops to safety. Helicopters were used for this. Electricity has gone out in some neighborhoods and the damage is extensive.

The 100,000 inhabitants of Cesena are advised not to watch the natural disasters and people who live near the Savio River should stay on higher floors if they have the chance.

In Forli, just northwest of Cesena, the body of an elderly man has been found on the banks of the Montone River. The man had been dragged from his flooded home by the water. His wife was saved.

Many schools in the region keep their doors closed and trains are not running either. More rain is expected for the coming days. The region was still struggling with drought earlier this spring.

The circuit of Imola, where the Formula 1 Grand Prix of Emilia-Romagna will be held next weekend, was evacuated earlier in the day. Race team personnel have been ordered to evacuate the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari for the time being for fear of flooding and mudslides.

Watch the aerial footage here: