The heavy rainfall of the past few days has turned several rivers and streams in the north of Italy into raging floods.
The situation was particularly spectacular in the small village of Noasca in the Piedmont region, which has a well-known waterfall.
At times, the water plunged more than 30 metres into the depths in such huge quantities that the Noaschetta stream, which is usually quite peaceful, rushed menacingly through the streets.
More than a dozen tourists were taken to safety as a precaution. According to official reports, no one was injured.
The small community of 100 inhabitants is located at an altitude of 1,065 metres near a national park. Its waterfall mainly attracts hiking holidaymakers, including those from abroad.
Mayor Domenico Aimonino assured on Sunday: "The situation was always under control. But I have to admit that we were afraid."
The masses of water in the streets were brown in colour because they were carrying large amounts of mud, he said. A mobile phone video of the scene quickly went viral on the internet.
According to a report by the Italian news agency ANSA, several tourists had to be rescued from a restaurant where they were having dinner as a result of a landslide.
Around 30 people spent the night in emergency accommodation. The agency quoted holidaymakers as saying: "We were scared. But it's better now. We want to go home as soon as possible."