ROUGH CUT (NO REPORTER NARRATION)<br/> <br />STORY: Italy was hit by violent storms on Thursday with the capital Rome put on red alert with heavy rain expected to fall in the next 24 hours.<br/> <br />Thousands of people were forced to leave their homes in Carrara, Tuscany on Wednesday as heavy rains flooded areas after the river Carrione broke its banks.<br/> <br />Eight people were winched to safety by a coast guard helicopter after becoming trapped in floodwater.<br/> <br />In Rome, schools were closed for the day and people were asked to leave their homes only for work and emergencies.
