The acqua alta in Venice came worryingly close last night to reach levels last seen during the great flood of 1966, and waters are reportedly rising again.Venice was hit by the highest tide (Aqua Alta) in more than 50 years, with tourists wading through flooded streets to seek shelter as a fierce wind whipped up waves in St. Mark’s Square.
The exceptionally intense “acqua alta,” or high waters, peaked at 1.87 meters (six feet) as the flood alarm sounded across the Italian city of canals.After receding slightly overnight, water levels are now reportedly rising again with another high tide of around 160cm predicted for Wednesday. Only once since records began in 1923 has the water crept even higher, reaching 1.94m in 1966.
As emergency services took to the canals to survey the damage. A 78-year old local had been killed by electric shock as the waters poured into his home. The coast guard laid on extra boats to serve as water ambulances.Tables and chairs set out for aperitivo bobbed along alleyways, as people waved aloft inside-out umbrellas, the water slopping over the top of even the highest waders.

Water taxis attempting to drop people off at the glamorous and historic hotels along the Grand Canal discovered the gangways had been washed away, and had to help passengers clamber through windows.