 Its 40 years this month since Venice was engulfed by the worst flood in its history . A rare combination of high tides and a fierce Sirocco wind filled the lagoon to bursting, sending floodwaters rushing through the canals trapping thousands of people in their homes and ruining priceless art works. Ever since, debate has raged about the best way to protect the city from the elements and more recently the impact of climate change has fed into that debate. The chair of Britain's Venice in Peril campaign, Anna Somers Cocks, was in Venice during the flood and she's been involved in lobbying for flood barriers ever since.
Keith Allen has been to Venice to talk to her, and to the scientist Jane da Mosta, who's working with Venice in Peril studying flood patterns in the lagoon. He also heard from Venetians with memories of that fateful morning in November 1966. |
