Posted on 12/03/2005 10:12:04 PM PST by NormsRevenge
ROME (AFP) - A steep rise in sea levels swamped part of the historic lagooon city of Venice amid storms and heavy rains that have beaten down on Italy over the past 24 hours.
On the other side of the peninsula, at La Spezia, a storm slammed a bulk carrier against a jetty, holing it and dumping thousands of litres of fuel into the harbor, the Italian news agency ANSA said.
Venice was hit by a common seasonal phenomenon as winds and tides backed up the Adriatic waters, causing levels in the lagoon to rise.
According to the city's flood center, the water rose 1.32 meters (four foot four inches) above normal sea level.
In Saint Mark's Square, which was covered by about 20 centimeters of water, the rare tourists covered their shoes with plastic bags.
Forecasters said the water level was expected to decline Sunday, but warned the weather would turn for the worse again on Tuesday.
The government is building a system of barriers at the entrance to the lagoon to prevent a repetition of the catastrophic 1966 flood that saw the Renaissance canal city submered under two meters of water.
But the barrage, consisting of 78 hinged barriers resting on the sea flood, is not expected to be finished before 2011.
In La Spezia, authorities were concerned about pollution after the Georgia-registered bulk cement carrier Margaret dragged its anchor in high winds, hit a pier and sank in about 10 meters of water just off the commercial port.
Several anti-pollution vessels were quickly on the scene and others were to arrive on Sunday, said Environment Miniser Altero Matteoli.
"The situation is for the moment under control, our vigilance is at maximum level and anti-pollution measures were rapidly activated," he added.
All 13 crew members aboard the ship were reported safe. Some threw themselves into the sea as the ship began to list while others were lifted off by helicopter and coast guard vessels.
Police said the chief engineer aboard the ship reported that it was carrying some 85,000 liters of fuel, and not 13,000 as earlier reported by ANSA.
The 84-meter (275-foot) Margaret sought refuge at La Spezia when it was caught by the storm as it was travelling from Genoa to the Bulgarian port of Varna, officials said.
Tourists walk in the flooded Saint Mark's square after Saturday's deluge in Venice. A steep rise in sea levels swamped part of the historic lagooon city of Venice amid storms and heavy rains that have beaten down on Italy over the past 24 hours.(AFP/Manuel Silvestri)
I know where they can get some soaked buses sligthly used.
Wow, that's actually in the original article. Coool.
BTTT
I'll never forget the time in the mid 70's(?) that the Beattles went to St Marks Square in Venice to do a fund raiser to help restore the town. Due to the weight of their trucks, many broke through the pavement creating lots of damage.
The Venetian's were pissed...
I would guess you've never been to Venice. You CAN drive to Venice and around parts of the city. See my post #6.
You'd guess wrong, fascinating place.
If you can't find any humor in evacuating Venice by bus then I can't help you.
Cheers!
Shame, hope it does not end up like New Orleans.
Lets see. High wind, lots of rain, sea level rising -- sounds like a hurricane...
"I'll never forget the time in the mid 70's(?) that the Beattles went to St Marks Square in Venice to do a fund raiser to help restore the town. Due to the weight of their trucks, many broke through the pavement creating lots of damage."
What are you talking about? There are no roads in Venice. Never have been. Ever. There is a causeway that ends with a trunaround at the bus station and a large garage where you can park a car, but that is it. There are only canals and mostly narrow sidewalks. There are no bicycles either. You very rarely will see a handcart being pushed if you get up at the crack of dawn.
Most blessedly of all....no Vespas
I lived in Vicenza for a year and was often in Venice (an hour away by train), and I love the place. It's almost a metaphor for the European condition. Browning wrote: "As for Venice and her people, only born to bloom and drop, what of soul was left I wonder, when the kissing had to stop."
Come on, we all know this is Bush's fault. He wants to kill
and destroy Italians, right.
I was in Venice in 1995 and loved it. Luckily, I am stationed in Italy and will be able to visit again. I hope the rains stops and they can get the city back to normal.
as was "submered"
I hear Atlantis is lovely this time of year.
Does Venice suffer from mold..?
A "duck walk" ... see those wooden plank walkways on the left ... em's are called "duck walks."
Yes, from mold and from cold. The lagoon can ice over in the winter. Even the mood of the city is rather northern, and they have their own dialect "la lenguaza."
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