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Snow, ice chill Italy; 1,000 evacuated as river bursts

Meteorologists say bad weather will continue in Tuscany, Lazio, and Umbria during the next few days, with intense rainfall expected in Lazio.

By Susan McFarland
Italian rescuers help residents near Lentigione, Reggio Emilia, Italy, Tuesday after the Enza River overflowed. About 1,000 people were evacuated. Photo by Serena Campanini/EPA-EFE
1 of 4 | Italian rescuers help residents near Lentigione, Reggio Emilia, Italy, Tuesday after the Enza River overflowed. About 1,000 people were evacuated. Photo by Serena Campanini/EPA-EFE

Dec. 12 (UPI) -- Rain, snow, freezing cold and mass flooding wrought havoc in the northern Italian province of Reggio Emilia Tuesday -- leading to the evacuations of about 1,000 people, some in a helicopter.

Much of Italy has been disrupted by the severe weather -- including a major rail network that was forced to suspend connections on Monday.

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Some train connections were reactivated but passengers were warned that more disruptions could occur. Also being closely watched are the the Entella, Vara and Magra rivers in Liguria and high water in Venice.

Italy's Civil Protection Agency sent workers and volunteers to Lucca, Tuscany, where the Serchio River also overran its banks.

Along with traffic delays in Piedmont, subzero temperatures delayed flights at Turin-Caselle Airport due to the facility having only one de-icing tool.

A hospital in Bologna received damage from strong winds, which also caused trees to topple in roadways in Le Marche. Winds also are to blame for a building to collapse in in l'Aquila.

Meteorologists said the severe weather will continue in Tuscany, Lazio, and Umbria over the next few days, with intense rainfall expected in Lazio.

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