Venice closes its iconic St Mark's Square as city suffers ANOTHER major flood with water levels set to rise above 5ft TODAY - the first time the city has ever seen such high tides twice in one year(80 Pics)

Venice was hit by an unprecedented third major flooding in less than a week, with sea water swamping the already devastated historic city where authorities declared a state of emergency. 
This afternoon the city's iconic St Mark's Square was closed again for the second time in three days, as rain lashed the rest of Italy and warnings were issued in Florence and Pisa. 
The medieval city suffered another exceptional high tide today, with the water peaking at 4.9 feet (150cm), marking the worst week for the city since official tide statistics were produced in 1872.
The city's centre for tide forecasts had warned the tide could reach 160 cm on Sunday and the high mark hit at 12.10 local time was not far short of that.

Water flooded St Mark's Square and hundreds of voluntary workers were helping citizens cope with the emergency. 
It would be the first time Venice has seen such high tides twice in one year. So far the estimated damage from the invading salt water has hit over $1billion. 

Tourists and residents resume their normal routine despite persistent flooding in Venice - which has forced everyone to walk around in high boots
Tourists and residents resume their normal routine despite persistent flooding in Venice - which has forced everyone to walk around in high boots 
People walk through Venice, as residents brace for the prospect of another exceptional tide in a season that is setting new records
People walk through Venice, as residents brace for the prospect of another exceptional tide in a season that is setting new records
A city worker helps a woman who decided to cross St Mark square on a gangway, despite being told not to, in Venice today
A city worker helps a woman who decided to cross St Mark square on a gangway, despite being told not to, in Venice today
A woman posing with her orange shoe covers in the high tide of Venice today
Tourists and residents wade through high water in Venice
A woman posing with her orange shoe covers in the high tide of Venice today (left) as residents and visitors trudge through the rising water levels (right)
A couple walk down a flooded street in Venice as exceptionally high tides continue to deluge the city streets
A couple walk down a flooded street in Venice as exceptionally high tides continue to deluge the city streets 
Water floods into St Mark's Square today as high tide reaches a peak in Venice, causing the historic area to be closed off
Water floods into St Mark's Square today as high tide reaches a peak in Venice, causing the historic area to be closed off
Tourists were seen wading through water during high tide in Venice today. The city was braced today for an unprecedented third major flooding in less than a week
Tourists were seen wading through water during high tide in Venice today. The city was braced today for an unprecedented third major flooding in less than a week
A man walking through the heavily flooded St Mark's Square, after days of severe flooding and rising tides in Venice
A man walking through the heavily flooded St Mark's Square, after days of severe flooding and rising tides in Venice
Visitors with plastic bags on their shoes walking along boards put down during flooding as Venice again saw rising tides
Visitors with plastic bags on their shoes walking along boards put down during flooding as Venice again saw rising tides
A restaurant owner looking out at floods in St Mark's Square in Venice today. Even after unprecedented high tide this week, the city is expecting more water to swamp the city
A restaurant owner looking out at floods in St Mark's Square in Venice today. Even after unprecedented high tide this week, the city is expecting more water to swamp the city
A city worker helps a woman who decided to cross St. Mark square on a gangway, in spite of prohibition, in Venice today
A city worker helps a woman who decided to cross St. Mark square on a gangway, in spite of prohibition, in Venice today
woman posing for a photo on a flooded street during high tide in Venice today. St Mark's Square had been shut for several hours on Friday as strong storms and winds battered the region, leaving it submerged by sea surges
woman posing for a photo on a flooded street during high tide in Venice today. St Mark's Square had been shut for several hours on Friday as strong storms and winds battered the region, leaving it submerged by sea surges
Pumps throw out water from a restaurant during an exceptionally high tide in Venice today
Pumps throw out water from a restaurant during an exceptionally high tide in Venice today 
The renewed threat from exceptionally intense flooding came after a brief respite on Saturday with visitors seen wading through the reopened St Mark's Square
The renewed threat from exceptionally intense flooding came after a brief respite on Saturday with visitors seen wading through the reopened St Mark's Square
St. Mark's square (Piazza San Marco) is covered in water during an exceptionally high tide
St. Mark's square (Piazza San Marco) is covered in water during an exceptionally high tide
Churches, shops and homes have also been inundated in the city, a UNESCO World Heritage site
Churches, shops and homes have also been inundated in the city, a UNESCO World Heritage site
The city beloved around the world for its canals, historic architecture and art, was hit by a high tide at 6.14 feet (187cm) on Tuesday
The city beloved around the world for its canals, historic architecture and art, was hit by a high tide at 6.14 feet (187cm) on Tuesday
A man clears water from a restaurant during an exceptionally high tide. Many businesses have been forced to close or have been destroyed
A man clears water from a restaurant during an exceptionally high tide. Many businesses have been forced to close or have been destroyed
A shopkeeper looks out from inside his business as the water level is seen to have crept up to waist height
A shopkeeper looks out from inside his business as the water level is seen to have crept up to waist height
Tuesday's high waters submerged around 80 percent of the city, officials said
Tuesday's high waters submerged around 80 percent of the city, officials said
The city forecast 'acqua alta', or high water, of more than five feet for just after midday, lower than Tuesday's 187 centimetres - the highest level in half a century - but still dangerous.
The renewed threat from exceptionally intense flooding came after a brief respite on Saturday with visitors seen wading through the reopened St Mark's Square.
The top tourist site had been shut for several hours on Friday as strong storms and winds battered the region, leaving it submerged by sea surges, but it had to be closed off again today as forecasters predicted more rising water levels.  
Churches, shops and homes have also been inundated in the city, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The city beloved around the world for its canals, historic architecture and art, was hit by a high tide at 6.14 feet (187cm) on Tuesday. That was just short of the record 194cm set in 1966 and caused the city's worst flooding in 50 years.
Stores and museums in Venice were mostly closed in the hardest-hit area around St. Mark's Square, but tourists donning high rubber boots or even hip waders still came to witness and photograph the spectacle.
Most were disappointed when officials closed down the historic square as winds ripple across the rising waters. The doors of the famed St. Mark's Basilica were securely shut to the public, while officials took precautions - stacking sandbags in canal-side windows - to prevent water from entering the crypt again. 
Police check St. Mark's square (Piazza San Marco) which has been inundated with water during an exceptionally high tide in recent weeks
Police check St. Mark's square (Piazza San Marco) which has been inundated with water during an exceptionally high tide in recent weeks 

Diners still found time to have a relaxing drink despite the high water levels in Venice today. Flooding returned after a brief lull in the onslaught that has battered the medieval city
Diners still found time to have a relaxing drink despite the high water levels in Venice today. Flooding returned after a brief lull in the onslaught that has battered the medieval city
Two men shared a bottle of red wine as floodwater lapped around their legs in the high tide of Venice today
Two men shared a bottle of red wine as floodwater lapped around their legs in the high tide of Venice today
Water starting to come in to St Mark's Square as the city awoke this morning. Officials are forecasting a 5ft, 2in (1.6 meter) surge today. That comes after Tuesday's 1.87 meter flood, the worst in 53 years, followed by high tide of 1.54 meters on Friday
Water starting to come in to St Mark's Square as the city awoke this morning. Officials are forecasting a 5ft, 2in (1.6 meter) surge today. That comes after Tuesday's 1.87 meter flood, the worst in 53 years, followed by high tide of 1.54 meters on Friday
A flooded church is seen during a period of seasonal high water in Venice
A flooded church is seen during a period of seasonal high water in Venice
Wearing either rubber boots, overknee waders, plastic overshoes or simply plastic bags wrapped and taped around their legs, tourists and residents resume their normal routine despite persistent flooding in Venice today
Wearing either rubber boots, overknee waders, plastic overshoes or simply plastic bags wrapped and taped around their legs, tourists and residents resume their normal routine despite persistent flooding in Venice today
A man with a mask walks in a flooded street during a period of seasonal high water in Venice
A man with a mask walks in a flooded street during a period of seasonal high water in Venice
A man walking in flooded street near Rialto bridge in Venice, as 'acqua alta', or high water, of over five feet is expected today
A man walking in flooded street near Rialto bridge in Venice, as 'acqua alta', or high water, of over five feet is expected today
Venetian people sit in a flooded bar amid rising water levels in Venice
Venetian people sit in a flooded bar amid rising water levels in Venice
Two girls sit on a piece of walkway in a flooded street of Venice today as residents and tourists waited to see if the forecast third flood would strike the battered city
Two girls sit on a piece of walkway in a flooded street of Venice today as residents and tourists waited to see if the forecast third flood would strike the battered city
Two men dragging a boat walk through St Mark's Square in waders after days of severe flooding in the medieval city of Venice
Two men dragging a boat walk through St Mark's Square in waders after days of severe flooding in the medieval city of Venice
Two Carabinieri walking on a gangway in flooded Venice today as the parts of the city, including St Mark's Square, were closed off
Two Carabinieri walking on a gangway in flooded Venice today as the parts of the city, including St Mark's Square, were closed off 
Bar staff go about cleaning up as tourists and residents resume their normal routine despite persistent flooding in Venice
Bar staff go about cleaning up as tourists and residents resume their normal routine despite persistent flooding in Venice
A tourist carrying his luggage in the flooded street near Rialto bridge in Venice, during high water today
A tourist carrying his luggage in the flooded street near Rialto bridge in Venice, during high water today 
A visitor holding her dog in flooded St Mark's square in Venice today as the city expected to seen more flooding
A visitor holding her dog in flooded St Mark's square in Venice today as the city expected to seen more flooding

In normal conditions, tides of 80 to 90cm are generally seen as high but manageable.
With four tides above 140 cm since Monday, this is the worst week for high tides in Venice since 1872 when official statistics were first produced.
Among the crowd gathered around the ornate basilica in bright shoe covers and plastic boots on Saturday were members of the Italian football team, who travelled to Venice on Saturday to show solidarity with the stricken city.
'On behalf of the whole team, we stand close to the city of Venice,' said Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.
The Italian football federation delegation visited several businesses damaged by the flooding, chatting with Venetians, volunteers and police.
'Venice will overcome this too. Like an athlete who suffers a serious injury and then gets up again,' said delegation chief and former Azzurri international Gianluca Vialli.
The crisis has prompted the government to release $22 million (20 million euros) in funds to tackle the devastation.
Culture Minister Dario Franceschini has warned the task of repairing the city, where more than 50 churches have suffered damage, will be huge.
And Mayor Luigi Brugnaro said the floods had 'destroyed Venice' after the second major flooding of around 160 centimetres hit on Friday. 
He tweeted: 'Maximum attention for today's tide. The safety apparatus has been activated. Thanks to all those who are looking after Venice and intervene when needed.'
A total of seven Italian cities were on high alert today after heavy rain overnight, with authorities in Florence and Pisa among those closely monitoring the Arno river, whose water levels rose rapidly in the night due to heavy rain. 
To the south of Venice, Tuscany president Enrico Rossi tweeted a warning of a 'flood wave' on the Arno and said boards were being installed on the swollen river's banks in Pisa 'as a precautionary measure'. 

Mayor of Venice, Luigi Brugnaro, said the floods had 'destroyed Venice' after the second major flooding of around 160 centimetres hit on Friday. A third flood is expected to hit later today
Mayor of Venice, Luigi Brugnaro, said the floods had 'destroyed Venice' after the second major flooding of around 160 centimetres hit on Friday. A third flood is expected to hit later today

People drinks spritz aperitif outside a cafe' in a flooded street today. Venetians are bracing for the prospect of another exceptional tide in a season that is setting new records
People drinks spritz aperitif outside a cafe' in a flooded street today. Venetians are bracing for the prospect of another exceptional tide in a season that is setting new records
Two tourists sitting over a public well in a flooded street in Venice today. The mayor of the city, Luigi Brugnaro, visited again today and walked under arcades at flooded St Mark's Square
Two tourists sitting over a public well in a flooded street in Venice today. The mayor of the city, Luigi Brugnaro, visited again today and walked under arcades at flooded St Mark's Square
Workers installing a mobile bridge for pedestrians to walk across in the flooded St Mark's square in Venice today
Workers installing a mobile bridge for pedestrians to walk across in the flooded St Mark's square in Venice today
A Venetian resident carrying her dog Nana as she walks in the flooded streets of Venice today. More rain and rising tides are expected today
A Venetian resident carrying her dog Nana as she walks in the flooded streets of Venice today. More rain and rising tides are expected today
Mobile foot bridges were put in place around Venice so pedestrians could walk over the flooded areas. Visitors are seen (above) walking across St Mark's Square
Mobile foot bridges were put in place around Venice so pedestrians could walk over the flooded areas. Visitors are seen (above) walking across St Mark's Square
People wading though the high water near a seagull in flooded Venice today. Authorities declared a state of emergency after sea water swamped the devastated historic city
People wading though the high water near a seagull in flooded Venice today. Authorities declared a state of emergency after sea water swamped the devastated historic city
Tourists and residents wading though the high tide in Venice, which was the highest level in more than 50 years. Churches, shops and homes have been inundated with floodwater
Tourists and residents wading though the high tide in Venice, which was the highest level in more than 50 years. Churches, shops and homes have been inundated with floodwater 
Rising water levels at San Marco square in Venice today. High tidal waters returned to the city yesterday, four days after the city experienced its worst flooding in more than 50 years
Rising water levels at San Marco square in Venice today. High tidal waters returned to the city yesterday, four days after the city experienced its worst flooding in more than 50 years
Two men standing in the high tide of Venice today. Among the crowd gathered around St Mark's Square on Saturday were members of the Italian national football team, who travelled to Venice to show solidarity with the stricken city
Two men standing in the high tide of Venice today. Among the crowd gathered around St Mark's Square on Saturday were members of the Italian national football team, who travelled to Venice to show solidarity with the stricken city
Many of the walkways around the city of Venice suffered heavy flooding, leaving homes and businesses damaged by water
Many of the walkways around the city of Venice suffered heavy flooding, leaving homes and businesses damaged by water
Two tourists walking in a flooded street in Venice, as "acqua alta", or high water, of 160 centimetres (over five feet)
Two tourists walking in a flooded street in Venice, as 'acqua alta', or high water, of 160 centimetres (over five feet)
A resident getting a piggyback through the flooded Venetian streets today
A resident getting a piggyback through the flooded Venetian streets today 

Italian media showed paratroopers helping to bolster river defences in Pisa, with authorities monitoring the same river in Florence after heavy rain made it rise dramatically overnight.
Arno flooding devastated Renaissance jewel Florence in 1966, killing around 100 people and destroying thousands of priceless works of art. Civil protection units in Florence advised citizens 'not to stand near the Arno's river banks'.
Venetian residents whose houses have been hit are eligible for up to 5,000 euros in immediate government aid, while restaurant and shop owners can receive up to 20,000 euros and apply for more later. 
Most of the city's cash machines were no longer working because of the water, making life even more difficult for tourists and Venetians.
Despite being used to the inconvenience of their city's rising waters, some inhabitants expressed frustration.
'All the stock in the basement is lost,' lamented Luciano, a worker at a shop along St. Mark's Square.
He said he remembered well the infamous 'acqua alta' of 1966, when the water rose to a level of 1.94 metres, the highest since records began in 1923.
'These so frequent high waters have never happened before... this time there's so much more damage than in the past,' he said.
Hotels reported cancelled reservations, some as far ahead as December, following the widespread diffusion of images of Venice underwater. 
A couple kiss in flooded St Mark's square in Venice today as residents and tourists braced themselves for a tidal rise of more then five feet
A couple kiss in flooded St Mark's square in Venice today as residents and tourists braced themselves for a tidal rise of more then five feet
St Mark's Square can be seen (above) as flood water covered the city centre. The flooding crisis has prompted the Italian government to release $22 million (20 million euros) in funds to tackle the devastation
St Mark's Square can be seen (above) as flood water covered the city centre. The flooding crisis has prompted the Italian government to release $22 million (20 million euros) in funds to tackle the devastation
A shopkeeper pumping water out of his business amid high water in Venice
A shopkeeper pumping water out of his business amid high water in Venice
A business owner wiping out water from a souvenir shop in Venice, during 'acqua alta', or high water
A business owner wiping out water from a souvenir shop in Venice, during 'acqua alta', or high water
Visitors walking on a mobile bridge in flooded St Mark's square in Venice this morning. An "acqua alta", or high water, of 160 more than five feet expected at midday
Visitors walking on a mobile bridge in flooded St Mark's square in Venice this morning. An 'acqua alta', or high water, of 160 more than five feet expected at midday
A woman is seen while emptying a shop of the tide water. More than 80 per cent of the city was flooded after Tuesdays high tide of 187cm, the highest level in more than 50 years
A woman is seen while emptying a shop of the tide water. More than 80 per cent of the city was flooded after Tuesdays high tide of 187cm, the highest level in more than 50 years
Some people abandoned the foot bridges and waded through the flood St Mark's Square today as more high tide was expected to come again this afternoon
Some people abandoned the foot bridges and waded through the flood St Mark's Square today as more high tide was expected to come again this afternoon 
A boy emptying his boot of water from the high tide in a flooded street in Venice today
A boy emptying his boot of water from the high tide in a flooded street in Venice today
A boat is moored to a partly submerged phone booth amid high water in Venice
A boat is moored to a partly submerged phone booth amid high water in Venice
Most of the cash machines in Venice were no longer working because of the water, making life even more difficult for tourists and Venetians. Seen (above) are two men standing in thigh water in St Mark's Square today
Most of the cash machines in Venice were no longer working because of the water, making life even more difficult for tourists and Venetians. Seen (above) are two men standing in thigh water in St Mark's Square today
Visitors with plastic bags on their shoes walk in flooded Venice this morning as an unprecedented third major flooding in less than a week, with sea water due to swamp the already devastated historic city
Visitors with plastic bags on their shoes walk in flooded Venice this morning as an unprecedented third major flooding in less than a week, with sea water due to swamp the already devastated historic city
Debris was left strewn across steps and pavements of Venice after floodwater swamped the streets of the historic Italian city
Debris was left strewn across steps and pavements of Venice after floodwater swamped the streets of the historic Italian city
Visitors walk in flooded Venice this morning. Sea water is due to swamp the already devastated historic city where authorities have declared a state of emergency
Visitors walk in flooded Venice this morning. Sea water is due to swamp the already devastated historic city where authorities have declared a state of emergency
Men wading through water during high tide in Venice today. Despite being used to the inconvenience of their city's rising waters, some inhabitants expressed frustration
Men wading through water during high tide in Venice today. Despite being used to the inconvenience of their city's rising waters, some inhabitants expressed frustration
Tuesday's high waters submerged around 80 percent of the city, officials said.
Many, including Venice's mayor, have blamed the disaster on global warming and warned that the country prone to natural disasters must wake up to the risks posed by ever more volatile seasons.
The Serenissima, as the floating city is called, is home to 50,000 residents but receives 36 million visitors each year.
A massive infrastructure project called MOSE has been under way since 2003 to protect the city, but it has been plagued by cost overruns, corruption scandals and delays.  
Mayor Luigi Brugnaro ordered the iconic St Mark's Square closed on Friday as the latest sea surge struck with strong storms and winds battering the region. 
The square was open again on Saturday, but the city forecast a high water of 160cm (over five feet) for Sunday, lower than Tuesday's high of 187cm but still dangerous.
Venice was on alert for more floods and fierce winds on Saturday (pictured) after an exceptionally high tide swamped the city of canals, where authorities have declared a state of emergency
Venice was on alert for more floods and fierce winds on Saturday (pictured) after an exceptionally high tide swamped the city of canals, where authorities have declared a state of emergency
Some play in the high water levels while others wade through the waves wearing plastic-covered boots on Saturday
Some play in the high water levels while others wade through the waves wearing plastic-covered boots on Saturday
Mayor Luigi Brugnaro ordered the iconic St Mark's Square (pictured, Italy's goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumm today) closed on Friday as the latest sea surge struck with strong storms and winds battering the region
Mayor Luigi Brugnaro ordered the iconic St Mark's Square (pictured, Italy's goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumm today) closed on Friday as the latest sea surge struck with strong storms and winds battering the region
The square was open again on Saturday, but the city forecast a high water of 160cm (over five feet) for Sunday, lower than Tuesday's high of 187cm but still dangerous. Pictured: Volunteers clean houses and help to bring out the broken possessions in Pellestrina, one of the worst affected islands
The square was open again on Saturday, but the city forecast a high water of 160cm (over five feet) for Sunday, lower than Tuesday's high of 187cm but still dangerous. Pictured: Volunteers clean houses and help to bring out the broken possessions in Pellestrina, one of the worst affected islands
Civil protection authorities downgraded a weather 'red alert' for the Venice region to orange, with Saturday's midday high forecast to be a manageable 105cm
Civil protection authorities downgraded a weather 'red alert' for the Venice region to orange, with Saturday's midday high forecast to be a manageable 105cm
Churches, shops and homes (pictured) in the city, a UNESCO World Heritage site, have been inundated by unusually intense 'acqua alta', or high water, which on Tuesday hit its highest level in half a century
Churches, shops and homes (pictured) in the city, a UNESCO World Heritage site, have been inundated by unusually intense 'acqua alta', or high water, which on Tuesday hit its highest level in half a century
'We've destroyed Venice, we're talking about one billion (euros) in damage,' Brugnaro said. Pictured: Gianluca Vialli in St Mark's Square today
'We've destroyed Venice, we're talking about one billion (euros) in damage,' Brugnaro said. Pictured: Gianluca Vialli in St Mark's Square today
Tourists (pictured) walks in St Mark square on Saturday, three days after the city suffered the highest tide in 50 years
Tourists (pictured) walks in St Mark square on Saturday, three days after the city suffered the highest tide in 50 years
Civil protection authorities downgraded a weather 'red alert' for the Venice region to orange, with Saturday's midday high forecast to be a manageable 105cm.
Churches, shops and homes in the city, a UNESCO World Heritage site, have been inundated by unusually intense 'acqua alta', or high water, which on Tuesday hit its highest level in half a century.
'We've destroyed Venice, we're talking about one billion (euros) in damage,' Brugnaro said.
The Italian football team travelled to Venice on Saturday to show solidarity with the stricken city.
'On behalf of the whole team, we stand close to the city of Venice,' said Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Pictured left to right: Prefect of Venice Vittorio Zappalorto, Italian Interior Minister Luciana Lamorgese, Italian Senate Speaker Elisabetta Casellati and Venice Mayor Luigi Brugnaro in St Mark's square to inspect damage caused by the bad weather
Pictured left to right: Prefect of Venice Vittorio Zappalorto, Italian Interior Minister Luciana Lamorgese, Italian Senate Speaker Elisabetta Casellati and Venice Mayor Luigi Brugnaro in St Mark's square to inspect damage caused by the bad weather
The crisis (pictured on Saturday) has prompted the government to release 20 million euros ($22 million) in funds to tackle the devastation
The crisis (pictured on Saturday) has prompted the government to release 20 million euros ($22 million) in funds to tackle the devastation
People walk in a street in Venice on Saturday with clothes hanging out to dry amid torrid weather on the island
People walk in a street in Venice on Saturday with clothes hanging out to dry amid torrid weather on the island
A volunteer helps residents to clean the houses and to bring out the broken things in Pellestrina, one of the worst affected islands
A volunteer helps residents to clean the houses and to bring out the broken things in Pellestrina, one of the worst affected islands

The Italian football federation delegation visited several businesses damaged by the flooding, and chatted with Venetians, volunteers and police.
'Venice will overcome this too. Like an athlete who suffers a serious injury and then gets up again,' said delegation chief and former Azzurri international Gianluca Vialli.
The crisis has prompted the government to release 20 million euros ($22 million) in funds to tackle the devastation.
Surveying the damage, Culture Minister Dario Franceschini warned the task of repairing the city would be huge. More than 50 churches had suffered damage, he said. 
Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte declared a state of emergency for the city on Thursday.
Surveying the damage, Culture Minister Dario Franceschini warned the task of repairing the city would be huge. More than 50 churches had suffered damage, he said
Surveying the damage, Culture Minister Dario Franceschini warned the task of repairing the city would be huge. More than 50 churches had suffered damage, he said
Residents (pictured) whose houses have been hit are eligible for up to 5,000 euros in immediate government aid, while restaurant and shop owners can receive up to 20,000 euros and apply for more later
Residents (pictured) whose houses have been hit are eligible for up to 5,000 euros in immediate government aid, while restaurant and shop owners can receive up to 20,000 euros and apply for more later
Mayor Brugnaro on Friday also announced the opening of a fund where people in Italy and around the world could contribute to the historic city's
Mayor Brugnaro on Friday also announced the opening of a fund where people in Italy and around the world could contribute to the historic city's repair. Pictured: Broken items left outside houses on the island
Residents whose houses have been hit are eligible for up to 5,000 euros in immediate government aid, while restaurant and shop owners can receive up to 20,000 euros and apply for more later.
Mayor Brugnaro on Friday also announced the opening of a fund where people in Italy and around the world could contribute to the historic city's repair.
One tourist, Italian Nicole Righetti, said she would be willing to pitch in.
'It would be a shame to no longer be able to see these places, and I think everyone should give,' Righetti said.
Most of the city's cash machines were no longer working because of the water, making life even more difficult for tourists and Venetians.
Most of the city's cash machines were no longer working because of the water, making life even more difficult for tourists and Venetians
Most of the city's cash machines were no longer working because of the water, making life even more difficult for tourists and Venetians
AC Milan's goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma wades through the deep water in St Mark square on Saturday
AC Milan's goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma wades through the deep water in St Mark square on Saturday
Despite being used to the inconvenience of their city's rising waters, some inhabitants expressed frustration.
'All the stock in the basement is lost,' lamented Luciano, a worker at a shop along St Mark's Square.
He said he remembered well the infamous 'acqua alta' of 1966, when the water rose to a level of 1.94 metres, the highest since records began in 1923.
'These so frequent high waters have never happened before... this time there's so much more damage than in the past,' he said.
Hotels reported cancelled reservations, some as far ahead as December, following the widespread diffusion of images of Venice underwater.
Tuesday's high waters submerged around 80 percent of the city, officials said.
Many, including Venice's mayor, have blamed the disaster on global warming and warned that the country prone to natural disasters must wake up to the risks posed by ever more volatile seasons.
The Serenissima, as the floating city is called, is home to 50,000 residents but receives 36 million visitors each year.
A massive infrastructure project called MOSE has been under way since 2003 to protect the city, but it has been plagued by cost overruns, corruption scandals and delays. 
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