Italy weather CHAOS: 20,000 without power as Venice landmarks DESTROYED - rescue underway

ITALY continues to bear the devastating aftermath of the storm that battered the region on Monday, damaging its iconic landmarks as hundreds of locals remain stranded.

Almost 20,000 residents in Liguria are left scrambling without electricity, after torrential floods and heavy rain devastated on Monday evening.

Roads remain blocked and rain links destroyed, leaving towns isolated as residents fear for their lives.

Violent floods on Monday caused massive landslides, toppling trees and buildings in its path.

A total of twelve people have died, and dozens remain injured as firefighters continue to carry out rescue missions to save stranded victims.

Winds of up to 110mph hit the country on Monday evening, bringing two major tornadoes and 10 metre waves pounding along Italy's coasts.

Heavy rains battered the country, overflowing rivers which brought flash floods across Italy's famous cities causing its iconic buildings to dilapidate.

Genoa airport remains shut as masses of flooded debris crowded its runways, leaving hundreds of tourists stranded.

Thick snow toppling on French and Italian mountainous regions has left dozens of tourists and workers trapped in their vehicles with many choosing to shelter in nearby hotels.

Italy weather storm Venice floods Liguria electricity

Italy weather: Buildings and iconic landmarks are severely destroyed following mass floods (Image: GETTY)

Towns in Trentino, Friuli Venezia Giulia (Sappada) and Lombardy are blocked from access, after roads and rail links were destroyed.

Portofino, where the family of former prime minister Silvio Berluscon live, remains isolated after a landslide blocked the town connecting to Santamaria Ligure. 

Governor Giovanni Toti of Liguaria said.”It is currently not possible to calculate the damage, which could be hundreds of millions."

Tuscany, Lazio, Veneto, Lombardy, Friuli Venezia Giulia and Liguria and Venice are among the worst hit cities.

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Italy weather: The Basilica of San Marco suffered severe damages from floods (Image: GETTY)

Venice has experience near-record flooding levels, after the ferocious storm brought in flash flooding to the city, killing five people.

Among those killed was a woman from Trentino-Alto Adige, who was trapped after mudslides flooded her home.

A volunteer fireman was swept away by a tree during a rescue mission in South Tyrol, and a fisherman drowned in Lake Levico in Trentino. 

Angelo Borrelli, head of the national civil protection agency, said: "We are facing one of the most complex meteorological situations of the past 50 to 60 years."

Italy weather storm venice floods liguaria

Italy weather: Ports were battered by 10 metre waves, destroying hundreds of ships (Image: GETTY)

Italy's famous century-old structures have also bore the brunt of the storm, and several landmarks have been left completely destroyed.

The Basilica of San Marco - a cathedral church in Venice - has been been severely damaged after flood waters washed away most of its thousand-year-old marble mosaic floor.

The church has also endured devastating damage to its bronze metal doors and columns, in its fifth most serious flood since it was built 924 years ago.

First Procurator of San Marco, Carlo Alberto Tesserin, who is in charge of preserving the Basilica said: "In a single day the Basilica has aged twenty years". 

Italy weather storm venice floods liguria

Italy weather: Strong winds toppled trees off their roots (Image: GETTY)

Italy weather storm venice floods liguria

Italy weather: Vehicles were destroyed from fallen trees (Image: GETTY)

He added: ”It is becoming ever more difficult for us and indeed could become impossible for us to repair the damage, especially in an age of climate change.”

Dozens of luxury yachts were destroyed after 10 metre waves pounded the coast for hours, breaking the 6.5 mere high dam.

Elsewhere, firefighters were called out to the rescue of 19 people trapped in the seaside city.

Meteorologists say weather conditions are expected to subside over the next few days but more rain is set to pummel Venice and other areas.

(Additional reporting by Maria Ortega.)