The heavy rainfall closed schools in several southern cities including Taranto, Brindisi, and Matera, as well as the Sicilian cities of Pozzallo and Noto, according to the national weather service. In Matera, this year's European Capital of Culture, a tornado caused trees and lamp posts to fall, damaging numerous roofs and buildings. No injuries were reported.

Strong precipitation was seen all along the western coast of the country from Tuscany to the southern region of Campania, including the northeast of Sardinia. In Venice, the famous St. Mark's Square was submerged due to the exceptionally intense "acqua alta," or high waters, which were expected to exceed 4.5 feet (1.4 metres).

The square is particularly affected by the high tides, as it is located in one of the lowest parts of the city. The vestibule of the basilica was also inundated with water, and authorities planned to watch the building overnight. Pierpaolo Campostrini, a member of St. Mark's council, said the scale of the flooding on Tuesday had only been seen five times in the long history of the basilica, where construction began in 828 and which was rebuilt after a fire in 1063.

Copyright Agence France-Presse, 2019