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St. Mark's square closed as Venice flood waters rise

Delivery men braved flood waters and bookeepers resorted to using hairdryers to salvage their stock on Friday (November 15), as Venice was swamped by a new high tide - peaking at 154cm - leaving 70% of the city underwater.

Mayor Luigi Brugnaro officially closed Saint Mark's Square on Friday morning, as the lagoon city entered it's second day of emergency status.

The floods - known as 'acqua alta' are at the highest level in more than 50 years, threatening irreparable damage to historic treasures.

The Saint Mark's Byzantine Basilica was flooded for the sixth time in 1,200 years - but the fourth in the last 20.

Construction began on a sea defense system in 2003 but, after prolonged delays, it is not expected to begin operating until the end of 2021.

(SOUNDBITE) (Italian) VENICE RESIDENT, NAVA NACCARA SAYING:

"I am not afraid because I am Venetian and used to it. But it hasn't ever been like this with all these consecutive days, usually it is just once and then you have a break. Now we've been in an emergency situation for days and we just can't put up with any more."

The national government allocated an initial 20 million euros ($22 million) to address the immediate damage on Thursday (November 14) and Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said on Friday the government will hold a meeting on Nov. 26 to discuss "governance and the structural problems of the city."