Venice Still Suffers Floods

Italian Venice has been suffering high levels of water on Friday, days after the worst flooding in more than 50 years.

The city authorities said a tsunami, 154 centimeters high, slightly below expectations and below Tuesday's 187 centimeter, was the second highest in Venice.

But this level was enough to flood 70 percent of the city with water and cause tension for residents awaiting a new large-scale cleanup.

The Italian government declared a state of emergency in Venice on Thursday and allocated 20 million euros ($ 22 million) to repair direct damage. Mayor Luigi Bruniaro predicted the costs would be much higher.

"The gun was destroyed a few days ago. We are talking about damage estimated at $ 1 billion," he said in a video posted on Twitter. "This is an emergency and we are dealing with it."

Meteorologists expect the tide to be between 110 centimeters and 120 centimeters during weekend. Normally, the tide is 80 to 90 centimeters high but can be handled.

On another hand, tourists and residents have been allowed back into St. Mark’s Square in Venice, a day after it was closed due to exceptionally high tidal waters that swept through most of the lagoon city’s already devastated center.

By late Saturday morning, water was rising again in St. Mark’s Square and the forecast for Sunday was worse. The tide was expected to peak at 1.15 meters (3.7 feet) above sea level on Saturday at noon.