In Pisa, army soldiers placed sand bags behind a barrier lining a swollen river, while the city's Mayor Michele Conti said the situation was "very complex" and urged residents to stay at home.

Eugenio Giani, head of the central Tuscany region that includes Florence and Pisa, told citizens to exercise "maximum care and attention", warning of "intense and persistent rain" during the day.

Florence (Italy ... near Pisa, according to the ANSA news agency. In Florence, the Uffizi Galleries -- the world-famous art museum -- closed early, as did the Duomo cathedral.