Photos: Venice ‘on its knees’ after second-worst flood ever
The worst flooding in Venice in more than 50 years prompted calls to better protect the historic city from rising sea levels as officials calculated hundreds of millions of euros in damage. “Venice is on its knees,’’ Mayor Luigi Brugnaro said.
St. Mark's Basilica
High water floods the inside of St. Mark's Basilica in Venice on Wednesday after the high-water mark hit 187 centimeters (74 inches) late Tuesday, 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)
Venice flooding
People wade through water in a flooded St. Mark's Square in Venice, Italy, on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
Italy Venice flooding
A stranded ferry boat lies on its side in Venice on Wednesday. The mayor of Venice is blaming climate change for flooding in the historic canal city that has reached the second-highest levels ever recorded, as another exceptional water level was recorded Wednesday. The high-water mark hit 187 centimeters (74 inches) late Tuesday, meaning more than 85% of the city was flooded. (AP Photo/Luigi Costantini)
Italy Venice flooding
People wade through water in a flooded St. Mark's Square in Venice on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
Venice high tide
A woman carries her daughter in a flooded St. Mark's Square in Venice, Italy, after the high tide reached a peak of 4.1 feet. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
Stranded gondolas
Stranded gondolas float adrift over the flooded banks in Venice. The mayor of Venice is blaming climate change for flooding in the historic canal city that has reached the second-highest levels ever recorded. (AP Photo/Luigi Costantini)
Flooded Venice
A photographer takes pictures in a flooded St. Mark's Square in Venice, Italy. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
Italy Venice flooding
Tourists carry their luggage as they wade through water during high tide in Venice on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
Italy Venice flooding
Water sprouts out of a hole in a building as people wade through water during a high tide in Venice on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
Italy Venice flooding
Tourist pull their suitcases along catwalks set up during a high tide in Venice. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
Italy Venice flooding
People wade through water during high tide in Venice. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
Italy Venice flooding
A woman wears bin bags as she carries her suitcase while wading through high water in Venice on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
Italy Venice flooding
Tourists take pictures in front of the Rialto Bridge while wading through high water in Venice on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
Italy Venice flooding
Mannequins lie on the floor in a shop as people wade through a flooded street in Venice on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
Italy Venice flooding
A shop assistant stands in a flooded shop in Venice on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
Italy Venice flooding
People wade in high water in Venice on Wednesday after the high-water mark hit 187 centimeters (74 inches) late Tuesday. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
Flooded Venice
A tourist pushes her floating luggage in a flooded St. Mark's Square in Venice on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
Italy Venice flooding
Tourists push their luggage in a flooded St. Mark's Square in Venice on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
Italy Venice flooding
Tourists hang on to railings as they try to cross a flooded St. Mark's Square in Venice on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
Italy Venice flooding
A woman looks at the Rialto Bridge during high water in Venice on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
Italy Venice flooding
A shop assistant stands in a flooded shop in Venice on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
Italy Venice flooding
High water floods the inside of St. Mark's Basilica in Venice on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
Italy Venice flooding
People wade through water in St. Mark's Square in Venice on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
Italy Venice flooding
People wade through water in Venice on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
Italy Venice flooding
Women wade through water in Venice on Wednesday after the high-water mark hit 187 centimeters (74 inches) late Tuesday, meaning more than 85% of the city was flooded. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
Italy Venice flooding
A greengrocer pulls his cart through high water in Venice on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
Italy Venice flooding
A man takes pictures in a flooded St. Mark's Square in Venice on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
Italy Venice flooding
People wade through water in a flooded St. Mark's Square in Venice on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
Italy Venice flooding
A tourist carries her luggage in a flooded St. Mark's Square in Venice. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)