Historic flooding highlights Venice's vulnerability
Posted November 15, 2019 6:00 am
MILAN (AP) - The historic lagoon city of Venice exists on the edge of a double threat: As it sinks, the seas rise.
That danger became acute this week when Venice was hit with its worst flood in over 50 years, caused by a nearly 1.9 meter (6-foot) tide that sent waist-high water flowing through St. Mark's Square and threatened the city's medieval, Baroque and Renaissance art and architecture.
And yet, a corruption-riddled underwater barrier system that was supposed to protect the city still is not operational after more than 16 years of construction and at least 5 billion euros of public funds.
It was supposed to be working by 2011.
A woman tries to cross a flooded street as people walk on a trestle bridge during high water, in Venice, northern Italy, Friday, Nov. 15, 2019. Exceptionally high tidal waters returned to Venice on Friday, prompting the mayor to close the iconic St. Mark's Square and call for donations to repair the Italian lagoon city just three days after it experienced its worst flooding in 50 years. (Andrea Merola/ANSA via AP)
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A flooded St. Mark's Square in Venice, Italy, Friday, Nov. 15, 2019. Waters are rising in Venice where the tide is reaching exceptional levels just three days after the Italian lagoon city experienced its worst flooding in more than 50 years. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
The Associated Press
People make their way through water in Venice, Italy, Friday, Nov. 15, 2019. Exceptionally high tidal waters returned to Venice on Friday, prompting the mayor to close the iconic St. Mark's Square and call for donations to repair the Italian lagoon city just three days after it experienced its worst flooding in 50 years. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
The Associated Press
People use trestle bridges to walk in a flooded St. Mark's Square at Venice, Friday, Nov. 15, 2019.The high-water mark hit 187 centimeters (74 inches) late Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2019, meaning more than 85% of the city was flooded. The highest level ever recorded was 194 centimeters (76 inches) during infamous flooding in 1966. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
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People wade their way through water in Venice, Italy, Friday, Nov. 15, 2019. Exceptionally high tidal waters returned to Venice on Friday, prompting the mayor to close the iconic St. Mark's Square and call for donations to repair the Italian lagoon city just three days after it experienced its worst flooding in 50 years. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
The Associated Press
People wade their way through water in Venice, Italy, Friday, Nov. 15, 2019. Waters are rising in Venice where the tide is reaching exceptional levels just three days after the Italian lagoon city experienced its worst flooding in more than 50 years. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
The Associated Press
Flooded St. Mark's Square is seen from a partially submerged camera, in Venice, Italy, Friday, Nov. 15, 2019. Waters are rising in Venice where the tide is reaching exceptional levels just three days after the Italian lagoon city experienced its worst flooding in more than 50 years. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
The Associated Press
A couple wades their way through water in Venice, Italy, Friday, Nov. 15, 2019. Waters are rising in Venice where the tide is reaching exceptional levels just three days after the Italian lagoon city experienced its worst flooding in more than 50 years. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
The Associated Press
Garbage bags float inside a shop Venice, Italy, Friday, Nov. 15, 2019. Waters are rising in Venice where the tide is reaching exceptional levels just three days after the Italian lagoon city experienced its worst flooding in more than 50 years. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
The Associated Press
People wade their way through water in Venice, Italy, Friday, Nov. 15, 2019. Waters are rising in Venice where the tide is reaching exceptional levels just three days after the Italian lagoon city experienced its worst flooding in more than 50 years. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
The Associated Press
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