Exceptionally high tides continue to batter Venice

TIL Desk/World/Venice/ The high-water mark hit 187 centimeters (74 inches) late Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2019, meaning more than 85% of the city was flooded. The highest level ever recorded was 194 centimeters (76 inches) during infamous flooding in 1966.

Exceptionally high tides have continued to batter the Italian city of Venice and by early Friday morning St Mark’s Square was completely flooded and inaccessible.

The City Hall’s High Water Information Centre recorded at 8.15 a.m. a 131 cm rise in water levels, meaning St Mark Square, the lowest point in the city standing at 80 cm from sea level, was flooded with some 50 cm of water.

Forecasts have said that, at its peak, the ‘aqua alta’ (“high water”) as it is known in Venice, would reach 160 cm later in the day propelled by strong and gusty winds that are pushing the water from the lagoon into the city.