An exceptional low tide left Venice's famous canals almost dry on Friday (February 26). Traditional gondolas and boats could be seen almost beached in the canals as water levels reached a peak of -48 cm, creating an unusual landscape in the lagoon city.

Exceptional low tide leaves canals almost empty in Venice

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The streets were flooded and the strong wind led to waves in St Mark’s Square. High tides hit Venice weeks after floods led Damage estimated at $1.11 billion.

High tides hit Venice weeks after floods; Damage estimated at $1.11 billion

Worst month for high tides in Venice since 1872. Watch video to know more.

Worst month for high tides in Venice since 1872

Following heavy flooding in less than a week, Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte declared a state of emergency in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/inundated-venice-braced-for-more-flooding-strong-winds-262599">Venice</a>. &nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/worst-floods-in-50-years-bring-venice-on-its-knees-262121">In Pictures: Worst floods in 50-years bring 'Venice on its knees'</a>

The PM said that 20 million euros (22 million US dollars) were allocated to the city and its nearby areas affected by the floods to tackle the devastation.&nbsp;

According to UNESCO, more than 85 per cent of the city was under water when two high water tides flooded Venice this week.&nbsp;

The third spell of major flooding is also expected to hit Venice in less than a week on Sunday. The forecast for today predicts high water of 160 centimetres (over five feet) for just after midday, lower than Tuesday's 187 centimetres, the highest level in half a century.&nbsp;

The new warning comes after a brief respite on Saturday with the reopening of iconic St Mark's Square.&nbsp;

UNESCO also added that churches, homes and schools were submerged in the city.&nbsp;

Two people die in a small island in Venice's lagoon and the city witnessed severe damage, including the iconic Saint Mark's Basilica.&nbsp;

Italian football team travelled to Venice on Saturday to show solidarity with the city.&nbsp;

"On behalf of the whole team, we stand close to the city of Venice," said Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.&nbsp;

Italy's Cultural Minister Dario Franceschini has said that the cost of repairing Venice will be "huge" where more than 50 churches have suffered damages.

Compensation of up to 5,000 euros will be given on an immediate basis to residents whose houses have been damaged, while restaurant and shop owners can claim up to 20,000 euros now and apply for more later.&nbsp;

Following heavy flooding in less than a week, Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte declared a state of emergency in Venice. In Pictures: Worst floods in 50-years bring 'Venice on its knees' The PM said that 20 million euros (22 million US dollars) were allocated to the city and its nearby areas affected by the floods to tackle the devastation.

Following heavy flooding in less than a week, Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte declared a state of emergency in Venice. In Pictures: Worst floods in 50-years bring 'Venice on its knees' The PM said that 20 million euros (22 million US dollars) were allocated to the city and its nearby areas affected by the floods to tackle the devastation. According to UNESCO, more than 85 per cent of the city was under water when two high water tides flooded Venice this week. The third spell of major flooding is also expected to hit Venice in less than a week on Sunday. The forecast for today predicts high water of 160 centimetres (over five feet) for just after midday, lower than Tuesday's 187 centimetres, the highest level in half a century. The new warning comes after a brief respite on Saturday with the reopening of iconic St Mark's Square. UNESCO also added that churches, homes and schools were submerged in the city. Two people die in a small island in Venice's lagoon and the city witnessed severe damage, including the iconic Saint Mark's Basilica. Italian football team travelled to Venice on Saturday to show solidarity with the city. "On behalf of the whole team, we stand close to the city of Venice," said Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma. Italy's Cultural Minister Dario Franceschini has said that the cost of repairing Venice will be "huge" where more than 50 churches have suffered damages. Compensation of up to 5,000 euros will be given on an immediate basis to residents whose houses have been damaged, while restaurant and shop owners can claim up to 20,000 euros now and apply for more later.

Emergency declared in Venice following severe floods

Venice was on red alert for more <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/venice-hit-by-another-ferocious-high-tide-flooding-city-262370">floods </a>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.

It reached a high of 1.54 metres (five feet) just before midday -- lower than Tuesday's peak but still dangerous.

"I'm forced to close the square to avoid health risks for citizens... a disaster," Brugnaro said.

In the afternoon the square reopened as water levels receded.

But civil protection authorities issued a weather "red alert" for the Venice region on Saturday, warning of violent winds.

Churches, shops and homes in the UNESCO city have been inundated by unusually intense "acqua alta", or high water, which on Tuesday hit their highest level in half a century.

"We've destroyed Venice, we're talking about one billion (euros) in damage and that's just from the other day, not today," Brugnaro said.

The crisis has prompted the government to release 20 million euros ($22 million) in funds to tackle the devastation.

"It's shocking to see this, having water up to your knees," Mexican tourist Oscar Calzada, 19, told AFP Friday.

Surveying the damage, Culture Minister Dario Franceschini warned the task of repairing the city would be huge. More than 50 churches had suffered damage, he said.&nbsp;

"Seeing these places first-hand gives the sense of a much greater disaster than TV images show," Franceschini said.&nbsp;

Hotel reservations cancelled&nbsp;

Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte declared a state of emergency for the city on Thursday.

Residents whose houses have been hit are eligible for up to 5,000 euros in immediate government aid, while restaurant and shop owners can receive up to 20,000 euros and apply for more later.

Mayor Brugnaro on Friday also announced the opening of a fund where people in Italy and around the world could contribute to the historic city's repair.

One tourist, Italian Nicole Righetti, said she would be willing to pitch in.&nbsp;

"It would be a shame to no longer be able to see these places, and I think everyone should give," Righettii said.

Some Venetians, used to the inconvenience of their city's rising waters, nevertheless expressed frustration.

"All the stock in the basement is lost," lamented Luciano, a worker at a shop along St. Mark's Square.

He said he remembered well the infamous "acqua alta" of 1966, when the water rose to a level of 1.94 metres, the highest-ever since records began in 1923.

"These so frequent high waters have never happened before... this time there's so much more damage than in the past," he said.

Hotels reported cancelled reservations, some as far ahead as December, following the widespread diffusion of images of Venice underwater.

Climate change warning&nbsp;

Tuesday's high waters submerged around 80 percent of the city, officials said.

Many, including Venice's mayor, have blamed the disaster on global warming and warned that the country prone to natural disasters must wake up to the risks posed by ever more volatile seasons.

The Serenissima, as the floating city is called, is home to 50,000 residents but receives 36 million global visitors each year.

A massive infrastructure project called MOSE has been under way since 2003 to protect the city, but it has been plagued by cost overruns, corruption scandals and delays.

Venice was on red 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.

Venice was on red 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. It reached a high of 1.54 metres (five feet) just before midday -- lower than Tuesday's peak but still dangerous. "I'm forced to close the square to avoid health risks for citizens... a disaster," Brugnaro said. In the afternoon the square reopened as water levels receded. But civil protection authorities issued a weather "red alert" for the Venice region on Saturday, warning of violent winds. Churches, shops and homes in the UNESCO city have been inundated by unusually intense "acqua alta", or high water, which on Tuesday hit their highest level in half a century. "We've destroyed Venice, we're talking about one billion (euros) in damage and that's just from the other day, not today," Brugnaro said. The crisis has prompted the government to release 20 million euros ($22 million) in funds to tackle the devastation. "It's shocking to see this, having water up to your knees," Mexican tourist Oscar Calzada, 19, told AFP Friday. Surveying the damage, Culture Minister Dario Franceschini warned the task of repairing the city would be huge. More than 50 churches had suffered damage, he said. "Seeing these places first-hand gives the sense of a much greater disaster than TV images show," Franceschini said. Hotel reservations cancelled Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte declared a state of emergency for the city on Thursday. Residents whose houses have been hit are eligible for up to 5,000 euros in immediate government aid, while restaurant and shop owners can receive up to 20,000 euros and apply for more later. Mayor Brugnaro on Friday also announced the opening of a fund where people in Italy and around the world could contribute to the historic city's repair. One tourist, Italian Nicole Righetti, said she would be willing to pitch in. "It would be a shame to no longer be able to see these places, and I think everyone should give," Righettii said. Some Venetians, used to the inconvenience of their city's rising waters, nevertheless expressed frustration. "All the stock in the basement is lost," lamented Luciano, a worker at a shop along St. Mark's Square. He said he remembered well the infamous "acqua alta" of 1966, when the water rose to a level of 1.94 metres, the highest-ever since records began in 1923. "These so frequent high waters have never happened before... this time there's so much more damage than in the past," he said. Hotels reported cancelled reservations, some as far ahead as December, following the widespread diffusion of images of Venice underwater. Climate change warning Tuesday's high waters submerged around 80 percent of the city, officials said. Many, including Venice's mayor, have blamed the disaster on global warming and warned that the country prone to natural disasters must wake up to the risks posed by ever more volatile seasons. The Serenissima, as the floating city is called, is home to 50,000 residents but receives 36 million global visitors each year. A massive infrastructure project called MOSE has been under way since 2003 to protect the city, but it has been plagued by cost overruns, corruption scandals and delays.

Inundated Venice braced for more flooding, strong winds

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Exceptional low tide leaves canals almost empty in Venice

Exceptional low tide leaves canals almost empty in Venice

WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the morning - December 23, 2019

High tides hit Venice weeks after floods; Damage estimated at $1.11 billion

Worst month for high tides in Venice since 1872

Emergency declared in Venice following severe floods

Inundated Venice braced for more flooding, strong winds