Exceptionally high tidal waters returned to Venice, prompting the mayor to close the iconic St. Markโ€™s Square and call for donations to repair the Italian lagoon city just three days after it experienced its worst flooding in 50 years.The high tide peaked at 5 feet above sea level, flooding most of the historic center.
Venice Mayor said the damage is estimated at hundreds of millions of euros and blamed climate change for the โ€œdramatic situation.โ€ He also called for the speedy completion of the cityโ€™s long-delayed Moses flood defense project.Brugnaro told reporters that he was forced to ask police to block off St. Markโ€™s Square, which was covered in knee-high water. Workers in high boots removed the platforms used by the public to cross the iconic square without getting wet.
Venice saw its second-worst flooding on record late Tuesday when water levels reached 6 feet, 1 inch above sea level, the highest flooding in 50 years.
That prompted the Italian government to declare a state of emergency on Thursday, approving 20 million euros to help Venice repair the most urgent damage.