Venice sees worst flooding in 50 years

Venice's mayor declared a state of emergency floods swept through the city, flooding its historic basilica and inundating squares and centuries-old buildings. The floods were at the highest level since 1966. Venice Mayor Luigi Brugnaro blamed climate change for the disaster. "Venice is on its knees," said Brugnaro. "The damage will run into hundreds of millions of euros." The floods, accentuated by driving rains and strong winds, also ravaged areas beyond the city itself.