Valentine’s Day in Venice? Take your wellies! City of romance is hit by snow, ice… and one of the highest tides in history
Worldwide, Daily news | ankakh | February 13, 2013 11:23Much of Venice’s historic centre was underwater overnight after the city recorded one of its highest ever tides.
The waters of the Grand Canal rose to 1m 43cm (56ins) and flooded streets, hotels, restaurants and the city’s famous churches.
Italian news reports said up to 60 per cent of Venice was flooded as it was hit by its 15th highest tide since records began.
The exceptionally high tide, known locally as acqua alta, was made worse by recent heavy snowfall and rain in the area.
The north of Italy has been blanketed in snow over the past couple of weeks causing havoc to schools and transport.
Paulo Canestrelli, director of the Tide Centre, told the newspaper there had been concerns the tide would reach 1m 60cm (63ins) but the ‘problem was made less severe late in the evening by the change of wind.’
It is the fifth exceptionally high tide in Venice since 2000.
In November, tourists swam across the flooded St Mark’s Square as the waters rose to about waist height.
Tourists flock to the city to see acqua alta and were spotted last night wading through the flooded streets carrying luggage over their heads and wearing plastic bags to try to keep their feet dry.
It is especially bad timing as the city is currently holding the Carnival of Venice, which closes today.
Flooding is common at this time in the Floating City and in an attempt to save the city workers are building a £4billion flood barrier – dubbed the ‘Moses’ project.
It consists of 78 giant steel gates to help stop the tidal surge from the Adriatic and is due for completion next year.
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