People take a selfie at the flooded St. Mark’s Square on Wednesday in Venice, Italy.
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The mayor of Venice declared a state of emergency as six feet of water swept through the low-lying Italian city, the second highest flood in the city’s history. The surge in water left homes barricaded and streets flooded as residents and tourists waded through knee-high water. The city’s famous Piazza San Marco was flooded by more than three feet of water, according to Italian news agency ANSA, and the water level could rise to as much as five feet. “Venice is on its knees,” the city’s mayor said on Twitter Wednesday. Local officials say more water is expected after strong winds combined with high tides due to rainstorms caused the historic flood. The scenes from around the ancient city are jaw-dropping:
Police patrol across the flooded St. Mark’s Square on Tuesday in Venice, Italy.
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People walk across a footbridge in a flooded street on Wednesday in Venice, Italy.
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The flooded crypt of St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice, Italy, seen on Wednesday.
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People take photos at the flooded St. Mark’s Square on Wednesday in Venice, Italy.
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Pedestrians walk across the flooded St. Mark’s Square on Wednesday in Venice, Italy.
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People walk across the flooded St. Mark’s Square on Wednesday in Venice, Italy.
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An employee stands by the flooded front desk of the Gritti Palace hotel on Tuesday in Venice, Italy.
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