Italy declares state of emergency in Venice after high tides
Posted: Updated:By GIADA ZAMPANO
Associated Press
ROME (AP) - Italy's government declared a state of emergency Thursday in flood-ravaged Venice, seeking to release funds to repair the historic lagoon city after it was damaged by the highest tide in 50 years.
A cabinet meeting approved a special decree that included 20 million euros ($21.7 million) in immediate financial aid aimed at helping the city recover.
Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte described the flooding as "a blow to the heart of our country," after spending Wednesday night in Venice, where world-famous monuments, homes and businesses were hit hard by the exceptional flooding.
Venice’s mayor said the damage is estimated at "hundreds of millions of euros." Mayor Luigi Brugnaro blamed climate change for the “dramatic situation” in the historical city and called for the speedy completion of the city’s long-delayed Moses flood defense project.
RELATED: High tides surge through Venice, locals rush to protect art
The water levels reached 1.87 meters (over 6 feet, 1 inch) above sea level Tuesday, the second-highest level ever recorded in the city and just 7 centimeters (2½ inches) lower than the historic 1966 flood. Another wave of exceptionally high water followed Wednesday.
The exceptional flooding was caused by southerly winds that pushed a high tide, exacerbated by a full moon, into the city.
Although the waters have fallen from the peak reached late Tuesday, St Mark's Square remained partially flooded on Thursday and a new peak water level is expected for Friday morning.
In Venice, the crypt beneath St. Mark’s Basilica was inundated for only the second time in its history. Damage was also reported at the Ca’ Pesaro modern art gallery, where a short circuit set off a fire, and at the La Fenice theater, where authorities turned off the electricity as a precaution after the control room was flooded.
Venice archbishop Francesco Moraglia said St. Mark’s Basilica had suffered “irreparable damage,” with salty water posing risks to its mosaics, columns and pavements.
Venice for years has been struggling with unwieldly amounts of tourists, the constant deterioration of its fragile lagoon environment and a dwindling population.
Tuesday's devastating floods have reignited a yearslong debate Moses, a multibillion-euro flood defenses project that has been under construction since 2003. The project has not yet been activated, after being delayed a number of times due to corruption scandals, costs overruns and environmentalists' opposition over its effects on Venice’s lagoon ecosystem.
Italian Transport and Infrastructure Minister Paola De Micheli pledged Thursday that the Moses project will be completed by 2021, but part of it could start work even earlier.
Rising sea levels because of climate change coupled with Venice’s well-documented sinking make the northeastern Italian city built amid a system of canals particularly vulnerable to the elements. The sea level in Venice is 10 centimeters (4 inches) higher than it was 50 years ago, according to the city’s tide office.
The damages this week included five ferries that serve as water buses, a critical means of transportation in the city. Photos on social media showed taxi boats and gondolas grounded on walkways flanking city canals.
___
Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Top StoriesNewsMore>>
Investigators on scene of serious accident between taxi, SUV in Jersey City
Investigators on scene of serious accident between taxi, SUV in Jersey City
Investigators are on the scene of a serious accident in Jersey City involving what looks to be a taxi and SUV.Investigators are on the scene of a serious accident in Jersey City involving what looks to be a taxi and SUV.Shooter kills 2, wounds others, is dead at Florida Navy base
Shooter kills 2, wounds others, is dead at Florida Navy base
The US Navy is confirming that an active shooter and two victims are dead after gunfire at the Naval Air Station in Pensacola.The US Navy is confirming that an active shooter and two victims are dead after gunfire at the Naval Air Station in Pensacola.SantaCon is Saturday in Hoboken. NJ Transit has a warning: Leave your drinks at home
SantaCon is Saturday in Hoboken. NJ Transit has a warning: Leave your drinks at home
Saturday is SantaCon in Hoboken, and New Jersey Transit is sending out a warning ahead of time: leave your drinks at home.Saturday is SantaCon in Hoboken, and New Jersey Transit is sending out a warning ahead of time: leave your drinks at home.Wawa opens newest location in New Jersey with free coffee through Monday
Wawa opens newest location in New Jersey with free coffee through Monday
Today was the grand opening of Wawa’s newest location in Fairfield, and free coffee is on tap through Monday.Today was the grand opening of Wawa’s newest location in Fairfield, and free coffee is on tap through Monday.Phone-in-cheek: Spike seen in cellphone-linked face injuries
Phone-in-cheek: Spike seen in cellphone-linked face injuries
Researchers say careless cellphone use can lead to facial cuts, bruises and fractures.Researchers say careless cellphone use can lead to facial cuts, bruises and fractures.
New Jersey SlideshowsGalleriesMore>>
2019 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting
2019 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting
The 87th annual Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree lighting ceremony was held Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2019 in New York.The 87th annual Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree lighting ceremony was held Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2019 in New York.Your December 2019 Storm Photos
Your December 2019 Storm Photos
Do you have photos of the winter storm from the December 2019 storm? We want to see!Do you have photos of the winter storm from the December 2019 storm? We want to see!The Download Photos
The Download Photos
The Royole FlexPai touts itself as "the world's first commercial foldable smartphone with flexible display."
Here are some of the latest tech items featured in the News 12 series The Download.
Here are some of the latest tech items featured in the News 12 series The Download.
Your 2019 Thanksgiving Table Photos
Your 2019 Thanksgiving Table Photos
Does your family prepare a delicious Thanksgiving spread? News 12 wants to see photos of your beautiful table!
Does your family prepare a delicious Thanksgiving spread? News 12 wants to see photos of your beautiful table!
Does your family prepare a delicious Thanksgiving spread? News 12 wants to see photos of your beautiful table!Does your family prepare a delicious Thanksgiving spread? News 12 wants to see photos of your beautiful table!Sights and scenes from the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
Sights and scenes from the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
Sights and scenes from the Macy's Thanksgiving Day ParadeSights and scenes from the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade