The northern Italian region of Emilia Romagna is reeling from the effects of a deadly flood that has killed nine people and left thousands homeless. The flooding, caused by torrential rains, has resulted in the evacuation of entire villages and the cancellation of a Formula One race in Imola.
The heavy rains that have been falling since May 17th have caused rivers to burst their banks and inundate towns and villages across the region. The death toll from the flooding has risen to nine, with several others still missing. In addition to this human tragedy, thousands have been forced to evacuate their homes and many more are isolated due to roads being swept away by the floods.
Cleanup Efforts Underway
Rescue crews are working hard to reach towns and villages cut off from highways, electricity, and cell phone service. They are also working to clean up debris left behind by the floods. Meanwhile, new footage shows entire towns submerged beneath water, with roads washed away in some areas.
Formula One Race Cancelled
The devastating floods have also had an impact on the world of sport. The Formula One Grand Prix scheduled for Imola was cancelled due to safety concerns about the track being flooded. This marks only the second time since World War II that a F1 race has been cancelled due to weather conditions.
Counting The Cost Of The Floods
As Italy begins counting the cost of this disaster, people across Europe are sending messages of support and solidarity via social media platforms such as Twitter. With more rain forecast for this week, authorities fear that further damage could be inflicted on already devastated areas in northern Italy before this crisis is over.
