70 percent of Venice covered in water by flooding – officials

Venice city officials say 70 percent of the lagoon city has been flooded by waters rising 149 centimeters (more than 58 1/2 inches) above sea level. Venice frequently floods when high winds push in water from the lagoon, but Monday’s levels are exceptional and are forecast to rise even higher, 160 centimeters (nearly 63 inches) by mid-afternoon, AP reports. The current level is the highest reached since November 2012, according to Venice statistics. The last time levels topped 160 centimeters was in December 1979. Much of Italy is under alert for flooding from heavy rains, a problem exacerbated by a lack of maintenance on river beds. Veneto Regional Governor Luca Zaia says flooding could reach the levels of the 1966 flood that inundated both Venice and Florence.