Venice hit by the worst flooding in 50 years

Tenacious storms flooded Venice last week, resulting in the highest tide the city has seen in the last 50 years. Causing an estimated €1 billion of damage, the water submerged 85 percent of the city and devastated churches, shops, museums and homes, according to i-Italy reports.

“Venice is on its knees,” tweeted the city’s mayor Luigi Brugnaro last Wednesday after issuing a state of emergency and closing down the entire city, including popular St. Mark’s square.

The square and the rest of the city has since been opened to the public as of Sunday.

Although the city is no stranger to high tides (“aqua alta” in Italian), the frequency and strength of the most recent floods have raised alarm among residents. Last week marked the sixth time the iconic St. Mark’s Basilica was flooded in 1,200 years. Most troubling, four of those times have happened within the last two decades.

Older residents of Venice recall the devastating flood of 1966, when the water rose to almost 2 meters (over 6 and a half feet). The flood killed about 100 people and destroyed thousands of priceless artworks.

A massive infrastructure initiative designed to prevent devastating floods like this one has come under fire by Venetians for not being completed, despite the start of its construction in 2003. The multibillion euro project MOSE (MOdulo Sperimentale Elettrotecnico) has been overrun with corruption scandals, delays and unexpected budget expenses. The MOSE project is designed to prevent flooding during high tides with the instillation of 78 flap gates along the border of the lagoon and the ocean.

The Guardian reports that the Italian government will send €20m to Venice for repairs of the city. Residents whose houses were affected will be compensated up to €5,000, and business owners up to €20,000 with an opportunity to apply for more aid later on.

With water up to the knee in most parts of the city, many tourists and locals were forced to wade through Venice in thigh-high boot covers and water-resistant pants. Most of the cash machines are also dysfunctional due to the flooding, making it even more difficult for people to get around.

 

Becca Most