Venice sees worst flooding in 10 years as deadly weather events hit Italy

Severe weather events throughout Italy have caused at least 11 deaths and have created major property damage. In Venice, roughly 75% of the flood-prone city is underwater, after high tides and strong winds caused the worst flooding the city has seen in a decade. Images of a flooded St. Mark's Square depict residents and tourists trudging through water, which officials say reached 61 inches (156 centimeters) above sea level at its peak. The severe flooding was a result of a relatively "perfect storm" in which adverse meteorological conditions led to severe sea level rise and wind speeds. Officials warned that many historic buildings may have suffered irreversible damage. One outlet reported damage to the mosaic floors inside St. Mark's Basilica, where flooding waters reached 35 inches at its peak. The bronze metal doors and columns also sustained damage. Related: To reduce flood losses, avoid the path of least resilience

Around Italy

The Lazio, Naples, Liguria, Rapallo and Veneto areas of Italy were most effected by severe weather including wind, flooding and mudslides. Of the 11 reported deaths, many were a result of falling trees landing on cars or passers-by. Near Trento in northern Italy, a woman died as a result of a mud landslide that pummeled her home while she was in it. And in Emilia-Romagna, a man lost his life while windsurfing along the rocky coast. Related: Typhoon leaves trail of Philippine mudslides, killing 10 people