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• On December 1, 2008, the city center of Venice, Italy, was flooded when the tide came in at 61 inches, 20 inches over flood stage. Workers were unable to install the raised wooden walkways normally used in these circumstances, because the water was so high. The water subsided as the low tide came in that afternoon.New York Times: Historic Center of Venice Flooded (December 1, 2008)

• Fast Facts

  1. Flood stage in Venice lagoon is 40 inchesNew York Times: Historic Center of Venice Flooded (December 1, 2008)
  2. Causes: higher sea levels, buildings have sunk, and land-use changes have made the city vulnerable to stormsBloomberg: Venice Deluged as Highest Tides Since 1986 Drench Historic City (December 1, 2008)
  3. 3000 people were forced to evacuateLondon Daily Mail: Where's a gondola when you need one? (December 1, 2008)
  4. Ferry, bus and water taxi services suspendedLondon Daily Mail: Where's a gondola when you need one? (December 1, 2008)
  5. Highest tide ever recorded: 76 inches in 1966London Daily Mail: Where's a gondola when you need one? (December 1, 2008)
  6. More than 16 million tourists visit Venice each yearBloomberg: Venice Deluged as Highest Tides Since 1986 Drench Historic City (December 1, 2008)
  7. A United Nations study found that flooding will permanently rise to a depth of 54 centimeters by the year 2100Daily News: Flood waters submerge historic center of Venice (December 1, 2008)

• Venice Flooding

  Flooding in Venice is not a new phenomenon. Floods have been recorded in Venice since the 13th century.Bloomberg: Venice Deluged as Highest Tides Since 1986 Drench Historic City (December 1, 2008) During the Great Flood of 1966 the floods reached 76 inches, or three feet above flood stage. Five thousand people were evacuated.Bloomberg: Venice Deluged as Highest Tides Since 1986 Drench Historic City (December 1, 2008)

  The frequency of floods has increased over time. St. Mark's Square flooded 10 times a year in 1900 but today floods 60 times a year. The city is thought to be sinking at a rate of 10 centimeters per year.London Daily Mail: Where's a gondola when you need one? (December 1, 2008)

  A 4.1 billion euro flood defense system is in progress but will not be ready until 2011.London Daily Mail: Where's a gondola when you need one? (December 1, 2008)

  
  

• Related Pages on Mahalo

  Venice | Venice Vacation | Venice Restaurants | Floods | The Moon | Bay of Fundy

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