Flooding hits north Italy, Venice prepares for mobile dike.

Heavy rainfalls in northern Italy have caused rivers to overflow, flooding some towns and forcing residents to rooftops. In Venice, authorities are preparing to activate a mobile barrier in the lagoon to prevent rare May high-tide flooding. Firefighters have carried out numerous rescues, including dramatic interventions to save families and a young girl. The MOSES barrier system will be lifted for the first time ever in May. Italy is expected to experience several more days of heavy rain, with schools in flood-prone areas closed and train travel halted on some routes.