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HEAVY rains and seas whipped up by strong winds have flooded Venice and brought the lagoon city's high tide mark to its sixth-highest level since records began 150 years ago.
The same weather system that put 70pc of central Venice under water on Sunday was wreaking havoc elsewhere in north and central Italy, with some 200 people evacuated from their homes in hard-hit Tuscany.
Flooding is common in Venice at this time of year and the high tide mark of 150 cms marked the sixth highest level since 1872.
Moveable barriers that would rise from the sea bed to protect Venice from high tides have been in the works for years – but these will not be operational before 2014.
Irish Independent
