18 Nov
The cost of flood damage in Venice caused by record high tides in the past week has been put at about 1.1 billion dollars.
The northern Italian city was inundated by a 187-centimeter tide, its highest in half a century, last Tuesday following several days of heavy rain.
The mayor of Venice, Luigi Brugnaro, says the damage from the flooding since then is estimated at around 1 billion euros, or about 1.1 billion dollars.
On Sunday, a high tide of 150 centimeters hit the city.
Media say Venice suffered the worst week for high water levels since records began in 1872.
The high tides left as much as 85 percent of the city under water, including the famous St. Mark's Square.
Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte declared a state of emergency on Thursday.
Culture minister Dario Franceschini reportedly said more than 50 churches in Venice were damaged by the tides and that the cost to restore the city would be huge.
Media outlets say St. Mark's Square was closed on Sunday and many shops in the city have been forced to suspend business.
nhk
