Emilia Romagna GP under threat with F1 paddock evacuated after flood warning

The Emilia Romagna Grand Prix could be under threat as biblical weather conditions hit the Italian region.

The paddock at Imola had to be evacuated on Tuesday after it flooded – and with more adverse weather to come on Wednesday, there are fears the adjacent river could burst its banks. F1 executives are monitoring the situation, but remain optimistic.

The National Crisis Unit in Italy has advised citizens to stay at home: "In the areas affected by the red alert, the mayors could foresee, for tomorrow, the closure of schools and roads most at risk, starting from those near the banks and landslide areas.

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“The invitation to citizens is to avoid travel as much as possible and to resort, where possible, to smart working."

There are warnings of between 100mm and 150mm of rain, and fears of the Santerno River which runs parallel to the paddock, flooding the paddock are being monitored by the FIA. There is no rain predicted for the weekend, but lasting damage from flooding is a concern.

Footage of the river on social media showed the water levels extremely high with more rain expected.

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F1 fans can take solace in the fact the Giro d'Italia ventured through the region on Tuesday with riders frozen to the bone as they battled through the conditions.

Jay Vine, who was one of those most affected by the wind and rain, said: "I just got way too cold, simple as that, I think that was the coldest I've ever gotten, I was miserable. Complete loss of feeling in the fingers and the body didn't respond well to it.

"The actual damage was me freezing to the core. Just one of those days where everyone freezes."

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