Venice braces for more flooding as new storm slams Italy with rain, mountain snow
By
Eric Leister, AccuWeather senior meteorologist
Published Nov 18, 2019 3:35 PM EDT
The third major flooding in less than a week in Venice, Italy, has caused the iconic St. Mark's Square to close on Nov. 17.
Venice was hit by a third exceptional flooding event in less than a week on Sunday and more flooding is on the way.
Water levels peaked at 1.5 meters (4.9 feet) on Sunday, according to Venice's Tide Office. While this peak was lower than last Tuesday's 1.87 meter (6.1 foot) flooding event, it caused significant disruptions across the city.
The 1.5 meter (4.9 foot) flooding threshold which had not been reached more than once in a single year occurred for the third time in less than a week. Tidal flooding records have been kept in the city since 1872.
A city worker helps a woman who decided to cross St. Mark Square on a gangway, in spite of prohibition, in Venice, Italy, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2019. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
The resulting flooding forced officials to close St. Mark's Square. Shop owners had to sandbag stores and move items to higher locations.
Damage from the recent flooding has been estimated to be in the hundreds of millions and a state of emergency has been declared for the area.
Flooding will once again be a concern as a new storm brings rainfall and onshore winds from the Adriatic Sea into Wednesday morning.
People walk in flooded Venice, Italy, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2019. Venetians are bracing for the prospect of another exceptional tide in a season that is setting new records. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
Rainfall amounts of 25-50 mm (1-2 inches) are possible across Venice and surrounding parts of northern Italy by Wednesday morning.
This rainfall combined with high tides increased by winds off the Adriatic Sea will once again put parts of the city under water and threaten historic landmarks.
Venice will not be the only area at risk for flooding as heavy rainfall and downpours are expected across much of northern Italy. Locations such as Turin, Genoa, Milan, Bologna and Florence, will all be at risk for localized flooding.
Total rainfall of 25-50 mm (1-2 inches) is possible across the region with an AccuWeather Local StormMax™ of 125 mm (5 inches).
Parts of the Italian Alps have already received heavy snowfall which blocked roads and caused power outages, according to the Associated Press, and more snow is expected into midweek.
The recent snow also caused an avalanche that damaged two homes in the South Tyrol region.
New snowfall of 30-60 cm (1-2 feet) will fall in the mountains, renewing travel disruptions and heightening the risk for avalanches.
Scattered rainfall and high-elevation snow is possible across northwestern Italy on Thursday and Friday, while the rest of the country can expect a much-needed break from the recent adverse weather.
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News / Severe Weather
Venice braces for more flooding as new storm slams Italy with rain, mountain snow
By Eric Leister, AccuWeather senior meteorologist
Published Nov 18, 2019 3:35 PM EDT
The third major flooding in less than a week in Venice, Italy, has caused the iconic St. Mark's Square to close on Nov. 17.
Venice was hit by a third exceptional flooding event in less than a week on Sunday and more flooding is on the way.
Water levels peaked at 1.5 meters (4.9 feet) on Sunday, according to Venice's Tide Office. While this peak was lower than last Tuesday's 1.87 meter (6.1 foot) flooding event, it caused significant disruptions across the city.
The 1.5 meter (4.9 foot) flooding threshold which had not been reached more than once in a single year occurred for the third time in less than a week. Tidal flooding records have been kept in the city since 1872.
A city worker helps a woman who decided to cross St. Mark Square on a gangway, in spite of prohibition, in Venice, Italy, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2019. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
The resulting flooding forced officials to close St. Mark's Square. Shop owners had to sandbag stores and move items to higher locations.
Damage from the recent flooding has been estimated to be in the hundreds of millions and a state of emergency has been declared for the area.
Flooding will once again be a concern as a new storm brings rainfall and onshore winds from the Adriatic Sea into Wednesday morning.
People walk in flooded Venice, Italy, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2019. Venetians are bracing for the prospect of another exceptional tide in a season that is setting new records. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
Rainfall amounts of 25-50 mm (1-2 inches) are possible across Venice and surrounding parts of northern Italy by Wednesday morning.
This rainfall combined with high tides increased by winds off the Adriatic Sea will once again put parts of the city under water and threaten historic landmarks.
Venice will not be the only area at risk for flooding as heavy rainfall and downpours are expected across much of northern Italy. Locations such as Turin, Genoa, Milan, Bologna and Florence, will all be at risk for localized flooding.
Total rainfall of 25-50 mm (1-2 inches) is possible across the region with an AccuWeather Local StormMax™ of 125 mm (5 inches).
Related:
Parts of the Italian Alps have already received heavy snowfall which blocked roads and caused power outages, according to the Associated Press, and more snow is expected into midweek.
The recent snow also caused an avalanche that damaged two homes in the South Tyrol region.
New snowfall of 30-60 cm (1-2 feet) will fall in the mountains, renewing travel disruptions and heightening the risk for avalanches.
Scattered rainfall and high-elevation snow is possible across northwestern Italy on Thursday and Friday, while the rest of the country can expect a much-needed break from the recent adverse weather.
Report a Typo