Italy is set to declare a state of emergency in Venice after the Italian city was engulfed by 1.87m high water levels, flooding its historic basilica and cutting power to homes, the BBC reports.
More than 80% of the city, a Unesco world heritage site, was under water when tides were at their highest.
Italy’s Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte described the flooding as “a blow to the heart of our country.”
He said the government would now act quickly to provide funds and resources.
The prime minister is expected to announce the emergency measures later on Thursday.
The Armenian St. Lazarus Island in the Venetian Lagoon was also affected as the highest tide in more than 50 years hit parts of Venice.
