Inundated Venice braced for more flooding, strong winds
(Artdaily.org)

Venice was on alert for more floods and fierce winds on Saturday after an exceptionally high tide swamped the city of canals, where authorities have declared a state of emergency. Mayor Luigi Brugnaro ordered the iconic St Mark`s Square closed on Friday as the latest sea surge struck with strong storms and winds battering the region. The square was open again on Saturday, but the city forecast a high water of 160 centimetres (over five feet) for Sunday, lower than Tuesday`s high of 187 centimetres but still dangerous. Civil protection authorities downgraded a weather `red alert` for the Venice region to orange, with Saturday`s midday high forecast to be a manageable 105 centimetres. Churches, shops and homes in the city, a UNESCO World Heritage site, have been inundated by unusually intense `acqua alta`, or high water, which on