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(CNN) - An exceptionally high tide rang flood alarms in Venice on Tuesday, according to authorities, and an old man died in the floods, city mayor spokesman Alessandro Bertasi told CNN.
"The situation is dramatic," Bertasi said. An old man died tonight while trying to run electric pumps at his home on the island of Pellestrina. A second man died but, as far as we know right now, from causes unrelated to the weather. ”
The spokesman said the water reached a peak of 187 centimeters at 10:50 pm local time (4:50 pm ET).
(Photo by MARCO BERTORELLO / AFP via Getty Images)
The high tide on Tuesday night is the second highest in the last century, after the 1966 tide that reached a peak of 194 centimeters, Bertasi said.
The city government announced, in a statement on its website on Wednesday morning, that "after the extraordinary tidal peak of 187 centimeters that hit Venice last night, the local administration will submit a request for a state of emergency."
He also asked “all citizens and companies to collect evidence to prove the damage suffered” so that they can request compensation.
The local government also announced that all schools would remain closed on Wednesday due to weather conditions.
On Tuesday, the Civil Protection Center for Tide Forecasting and Reporting said “45% of the city was flooded” and added that on Tuesday night “50 volunteers operated through the canals and 30 will be deployed tomorrow (Wednesday)” .
Venice