Flooding hits La Spezia as red weather alert issued for north-west Tuscany

Heavy rain caused the Lagora stream to overflow in La Spezia, in north-west Italy.

Floodwater covered roads, entered courtyards and made some underpasses impassable, while traffic was disrupted.

Rainfall by 5 p.m.

measured 150 millimetres in La Spezia and 180 millimetres in nearby Sarzana.

Schools will close in La Spezia and the provinces of Massa Carrara and Lucca as a precaution.

A red weather alert covers north-west Tuscany tomorrow, with orange and yellow alerts in other parts of Italy.

More heavy showers, strong winds and thunderstorms are expected to spread to several regions from late morning.

Authorities warn that further rain could trigger landslides and rising river levels, particularly in parts of Emilia-Romagna.