Previously, Venice has encountered two spring tides: the peak water level reached 154cm on the 15th, which is lower than 187cm on the 13th, which is still enough to submerge 70% of Venice's land. Given that Venice encounters three spring tides of more than 140 cm in a week, 2019 is bound to be the worst year in Venice since the relevant records were recorded in 1872.
So far, St. Mark's Square, one of Venice's main scenic spots, has been flooded one meter deep. The local government has closed the scenic spot, and Venice has suspended water bus services and ordered all schools in the city to close due to the rising water level. According to the website of the Italian Tourism Association on the 16th, visitors to Venice hotels are moving from the flooded low floors to the high floors. The website said, 'many hotels in Venice suffered record floods and suffered heavy losses'.
Cappani, an official in charge of art and historical buildings of the Venice municipal government, said at a press conference on the 16th that 120 churches in the city were immersed in seawater, and the initial repair of these churches will cost 3.6 million euros. Venice mayor brugallo said on the 16th local time that Venice may face a loss of 1 billion euros due to the damage caused by the flood. He revealed that he has obtained the support of the European Union, and the European investment bank will provide special loans for urban post disaster construction.
Agence France Presse reported that tourists and local residents reacted differently to the erosion of Venice by sea. Tourists stroll around St. Mark's Square and take self photos in water shoes. Stefano, who runs a newsstand in the flood, reluctantly said, 'this is the way I make a living, and there is nothing else I can do'. Local media said that tourists were taking pictures, while the city was suffering.