Venice Flooded By Exceptional High Tide (Photos)

The worst flooding in a decade hit Venice on Monday, and an alert continues to be in place as water level is expected to reach 110 cm at 3:30 pm today and again at 5 pm tomorrow.

The flooding was caused by a convergence of high tides and a strong scirocco wind.

Strong winds raised the water level at 156 cm on Monday, forcing the removal of the raised walkways which are erected when ‘acqua alta’ (high tide) inundates the city because they were at risk of floating. Local police blocked access to St. Mark’s Square after 1 pm because the water level was too high, and transport officials closed the water-bus system.

Veneto regional governor Luca Zaia said flooding could reach the levels of the 1966 flood that struck Venice (194 cm). “We are worried because the weather forecast confirms a situation comparable to, if not worse than, the one experienced by the Veneto region in 1966 and in 2010,” he wrote on Instagram. Schools continue to be closed in the region.

Much of Italy is under flood alert due to heavy rains.

*Photos taken from the Facebook page of Comune di Venezia (the city office) and media. 

Topic
Events
Location
Venice