Venice Under Water
December 9, 2008 4:31 am World NewsThe recent “acqua alta” (high water) in Venice, Italy reached a depth of 1.56 meters (5 ft, 1 in.) on Monday – the deepest flood in 22 years, and the fourth highest flood level in recent history, claimed Venice’s Tide Center. The water began to subside on Tuesday, while residents and tourists made their way through the city, hip-waders or not – one man even took the opportunity to ride his wakeboard through Piazza San Marco (until police stepped in). Although this flood was severe enough for the mayor to ask tourists to temporarily stay home, Venetian floods are fairly routine, several occurring every year, and residents usually take it all in stride.
Shopkeepers block the entrance of their shop with a wood panel as water rises in the streets of Venice.
A man wades through the Piazza San Marco during floods.
A view of a flooded dock area of Venice.
Tourists wade through flood waters in a shopping district of Venice.
Women sit on a table while water rises in their shoe shop during floods.