The tide may be high, but the people of Venice are holding on quite nicely. The landmark Italian city built on a noted system of canals was forced to tread water on Monday thanks to the city’s highest tide in 22 years.
The global warming preview was said to be caused by strong winds that forced the sea towards the city ultimately bringing water levels to 61 inches, well above Venice’s 40 inch flood mark. Tourists and natives alike were not given the option between hell or high water, but forced to perch themselves atop tables and higher floors. Very few streets were left untouched as the flood encroached upon even the most popular areas, and most citizens were forced to wade through knee high water in order to buy pasta and blinds.
City administration officials were criticized by the surrounding area’s governor for slacking on the “Moses” project, a plan slated for completion in 2011, to put a system of barriers in place to prevent such adverse effects from a rise in seabed level. While the flood is said to have had caused no damage to the city’s architectural landmarks, the water bus system was shut down with most of it’s platforms steeped underwater– though we bet those price gouging Gondola drivers made out like bandits.
