Venice flooding. Pictures and history

Thought I would start this rather than further hijack another thread

A poster asked for pictures

https://www.theguardian.com/cities/gallery/2015/jun/16/history-flooding-sinking-city-venice-in-pictures

And then there are the glass half full folks

http://metro.co.uk/2017/05/12/venetians-deal-with-flooding-in-a-totally-different-way-6633246/

And good historical photos showing the elevated "walkways"

https://www.theguardian.com/cities/gallery/2015/jun/16/history-flooding-sinking-city-venice-in-pictures

https://www.archdaily.com/802737/venice-italy-acqua-alta-not-sinking-flooding-needs-to-learn-how-to-swim

It was particularly bad when not just the high tides, and high waves sloshing in from the Adriatic basin, and heavy rains with nowhere to go, but also high winds driving water from the lagoon into Venice. So at times it is not unexpected to get ones feet wet, but more unusually even waist deep . Leave those Stefano Bemer's in a safe place

"Acqua alta" has been docummented as far back as the mid 1800's maybe earlier

usually occurs late fall in Venice

Been there, done that :D

As bad as the flooding may be the after effects are just as bad, if not worse.

After the waters drain, the garbage smells putrid in the sun (as it was in our case)

YoHoHo - let’s hope for no acqua alta when you and I are there next year :)

Just might be ordering those lovely yellow "over shoes" boots. Will go nicely with my pale green plastic poncho. Me, tourist? Blendin' in.

LOL..I packed some glad garbage bags for our November Venice visit a few years back.Thankfully, we never needed the makeshift waders for our visit. We had some flooding in St. Marks, but nothing significant....just puddles here and there. They did have the raised pathway walks out. But, they were not needed.

We were there in September. raised pathways lined up but not in use despite significant flooding. Found out they don't put them out until a specific date, I think October 1, no matter how much water there is. Venders were selling the throwaway boots but found them much cheaper in stores a few blocks away from the main square.

Venders were selling the throwaway boots but found them much cheaper in stores a few blocks away from the main square.

Thank you - that's good info.

I am still hoping we won't need any. Been to Venice many times - in case of acqua alta we'll visit places that are not flooded or go from hotel to ship directly.

Brings back many memories!! In 2009, my friend and I went backpacking and riding trains all over Europe. While in Venice, we got to experience the acqua alta! It was raining, but the wind was blowing the lagoon water into San Marco plaza! They set up the tables end-to-end to walk on. Kinda fun to walk around on those elevated walkways! The water was even coming into the entrance of the bascilica. By the next day the sun was out and water dried up. No smells. ;)

There was flooding November 5 to 7 when Riviera was in port. The flooding wasn’t as bad as the wind and rain.. st Marks was flooded, but the walkways were out.

Thank you for the information.

Keith

We were very lucky Nov. 8-11, 2016 with good weather, after a cruise on the Riviera. The raised walkways in St. Marks square were still stacked up and no hint of high water at the time. Cold north winds, but clear for our visit. So you never know when the high tides/seas will hit- driven by the east/southeast winds.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2853457/Venice-s-line-defence-New-anti-flood-aims-protect-historic-Italian-city-rising-waters.html

Are those giant hinged blocks (to be filled with compressed gas, and rise to block the sea) at the three entrances to the lagoon actually in place now?

GC

The "Daily Mail" article listed above, dated Nov. 24, says "is nearing completion." From the photos, I would say it is really close to complete.

Here's another article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MOSE_Project

Note the progress section:

"Work progress and next stages[edit]

Coincidentally, I'm currently reading a mystery novel by Donna Leon, titled "Acqua Alta"...highly recommend all her books.

Coincidentally, I'm currently reading a mystery novel by Donna Leon, titled "Acqua Alta"...highly recommend all her books.

Her books were terrific reading prior to our visit to Venice a few years ago.

If you've got the actual physical book, not e-version, then there is usually a map in the front, with locations marked of events in the book.

After reading quite a few, it turned out that I really had a much better sense of being oriented when we were there, plus all of the background that she shared, of course.

Plus they were just fun, light reading.

GC