Venice Floods 2019 Because of Highest Tide in 50 Years on Wednesday

The low-lying Italian city of Venice Floods was partly submerged Wednesday after being hit by the highest tide waters in more than 50 years. Flooding in Venice hit the second-highest levels ever recorded in history, and the historic canal city braces for yet another wave on Wednesday.

The high tide peaked at 74 inches late Tuesday, just short of the 76 inches set during record flooding of 1966. That meant more than 85 percent of the city was flooded, with water overtaking the famed St. Mark's Basilica, raising new concerns over damage to the mosaics and other artworks.

Images on social media showed waylaid boats that had been tossed onto land as water spilled into hotels and cafes and knee-high waters spread across an eerily empty St. Mark’s Square, one of the city’s tourism hubs.

The mayor of Venice, who said that the city “was on its knees,” has called for a state of emergency and the closing of all schools after the Italian city was submerged under “acqua alta,” an exceptionally high tide the highest in 50 years. The mayor blamed climate change for flooding of the historic canal city that hit the second-highest levels ever, as the city braced for yet another wave on Wednesday.

“Now the government must listen," he said on Twitter. "These are the effects of climate change... the costs will be high."

A local man from Pellestrina, one of the many islands in the Venetian lagoon, died when he was struck by lightning while using an electric water pump, the fire brigade said. City officials said the tide peaked at 187 cm (6ft 2ins) at 10.50 p.m. (2150 GMT) on Tuesday, just short of the record 194 cm set in 1966.

The electrical system at La Fenice theater was deactivated after waters entered the service area, and firefighters brought under control a blaze in the Ca' Pesaro modern art gallery, caused by a short circuit. Officials said a second exceptional high tide of 63 inches was recorded at midmorning Wednesday but was quickly receding.

The high waters, known as “acqua alta,” came after days of rainy weather across the country.

Venice has always lived with a level of risk, given its location in a shallow lagoon. But the city is increasingly imperiled by flooding at a time of rising sea levels, and weather disasters are becoming more frequent. In its nine-century history, the opulent St. Mark’s Basilica has been flooded six times; two of those cases have occurred in the last two years. Venice’s mayor, Luigi Brugnaro, said the current flooding is due to climate change, and he called for a state of emergency.

Residents and tourists could be seen wading through water in rain boots. The water invaded the ground floors of many historic palazzos, stores, restaurants and hotels. At least three vaporetti, Venice’s public transportation boats, sank, Italian media reported. One floated over the banks that line the city’s canals, ending up perilously close to buildings.