The mayor of Venice said the city’s flooding, which approached record levels this week, is part of “the effects of climate change” after more than 85% of the city was underwater.
“Venice is on its knees,” Mayor Luigi Brugnaro said Tuesday on Twitter. “St. Mark’s Basilica has sustained serious damage like the entire city and its islands.”
#Venezia è in ginocchio. La Basilica di San Marco ha subito gravi danni come l’intera città e le isole.
Siamo qui con il Patriarca Moraglia per portare il nostro sostegno ma c’è bisogno dell’aiuto di tutti per superare queste giornate che ci stanno mettendo a dura prova. pic.twitter.com/3Qy7070hZn— Luigi Brugnaro (@LuigiBrugnaro) November 13, 2019
I danni alla città sono ingenti.
Invitiamo cittadini e imprese a raccogliere materiale utile a dimostrare danni subiti: foto, video, documenti e altro. Comunicheremo le modalità per inoltrare la richiesta di contributo.
Info: https://t.co/SzLWTGi5XM pic.twitter.com/7CdtYptB0P— Luigi Brugnaro (@LuigiBrugnaro) November 13, 2019
The highest water level recorded in Venice was 76 inches in 1966, and the most recent flooding reached 74 inches on Tuesday. The latest flood has resulted in the death of one man in his 70s.
The historic St. Mark’s Basilica was inundated with floodwaters for the sixth time in 1,200 years. The head of the Venice hotel association said the damage to properties around the city was immense. The flooding will affect the city’s more than 50,000 residents, along with its vibrant tourism industry.
“I’ve only witnessed this historic flood, but I must say that the situation is unprecedented, and our city is our land, and it needs help and support from all,” Venice resident Elisa Aquina Laterza said.
By Wednesday morning, officials recorded a second exceptional high of 63 inches of water and noted that it was receding.
