Lois Larson
Venice is no stranger to flooding, with Venetians calling the phenomenon acqua alta, meaning high water. While the city experiences regular flooding, the extreme weather in 2019 caused the worst floods in 50 years, resulting in a state of emergency being declared. Venice Marco Polo Airport was affected, with water connections to the airport disrupted due to the exceptionally high tides. The flooding caused widespread devastation, with two reported fatalities and hundreds of millions of euros worth of damage.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Frequency of flooding | Regular, frequent |
| Flooding cause | High winds pushing water from the lagoon into the city |
| Flooding danger | Not considered dangerous; water usually subsides within a few hours |
| Flooding effects | Water overflows the edges of the canals and floods pedestrian walkways; transport disruption; damage to buildings and artefacts |
| Flooding mitigation | Installation of raised platforms for tourists; museums remain open; raised walkways |
| Flooding response | State of emergency declared; flood barriers being erected in the lagoon |
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What You'll Learn
- Venice Marco Polo Airport is affected by flooding, with water connections to the airport made difficult
- Flooding in Venice is caused by unusually high tides pushing water from the Adriatic Sea into the lagoon
- Venice frequently floods, but the city has measures in place to ensure visitors are safe
- Venice's mayor has said that the flood levels have left permanent marks and are a result of climate change
- Venice's iconic St Mark's Square was submerged by more than one metre of water during flooding in 2019
Venice Marco Polo Airport is affected by flooding, with water connections to the airport made difficult
Venice experiences regular flooding, with Venetians referring to the phenomenon as "acqua alta", meaning "high water". This occurs when unusually high tides push water from the Adriatic Sea into the Venetian lagoon, aided by southern winds and low atmospheric pressure. While the flooding is typically not considered dangerous, it can make water connections to Venice Marco Polo Airport difficult.
In October 2018, Venice was hit by an exceptional high tide, with water levels rising over 156 cm (more than 5 feet), causing three-quarters of the city to be submerged. This led to the closure of the water-bus system, except for routes to outlying islands. The mayor of Venice, Luigi Brugnaro, attributed the flooding to climate change and emphasised the urgency of installing underwater barriers in the lagoon to prevent such incidents in the future.
In November 2019, Venice experienced another severe flooding event, with water levels reaching the second-highest recorded level. The Italian government declared a state of emergency, and the mayor of Venice once again appealed for government assistance to address the impact of climate change on the city. The flooding affected transportation to and within the city, with Venice Marco Polo Airport reporting on its website that "water connections to the airport remain difficult due to the exceptional level of the tide."
While the city of Venice works to ensure the safety of visitors during flooding, travellers should be prepared for potential disruptions to their plans. It is recommended to check for updates on travel advice and transportation services before visiting Venice during periods of extreme weather.
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Flooding in Venice is caused by unusually high tides pushing water from the Adriatic Sea into the lagoon
Flooding in Venice is a fact of life. The phenomenon is called "acqua alta" in Italian, which translates to "high water". It occurs when an unusually high tide pushes water from the Adriatic Sea into the Venetian Lagoon. While this happens periodically, the frequency and severity of these events have increased due to a combination of natural and human-induced factors.
Venice is particularly vulnerable to flooding due to its geographical location. The city is built on a shallow coastal lagoon, just a few inches above sea level. The long and narrow rectangular shape of the Adriatic Sea can amplify the effects of winds and storms, causing an oscillating water motion known as a seiche. This can result in much higher tide levels in Venice compared to other parts of the Mediterranean.
Additionally, Venice is also sinking, or subsiding, over time. This natural process, combined with the rising sea levels caused by human-induced climate change, has made the city even more susceptible to flooding. The city's ground level is currently sinking by around 1mm per year, and its average sea level is around 32cm higher than when official records began in 1872.
To combat the increasing frequency and severity of flooding, Venice has been working on a multibillion-dollar project called MOSE (Modulo Sperimentale Elettromeccanico or Experimental Electromechanical Module). This project involves the installation of 79 separate 300-ton flaps hinged on the seabed between the lagoon and the Adriatic Sea. These flaps can be raised preemptively to create a temporary barrier, protecting the city from exceptional high waters. However, the project has been plagued by delays and controversies, leaving the city fully exposed during flood events.
While the MOSE project aims to mitigate the impacts of flooding, it is essential to recognize that the underlying causes, such as climate change and rising sea levels, must also be addressed. Venice stands at the forefront of the battle against climate change, and the challenges it faces today may become a reality for many other coastal cities in the future.
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Venice frequently floods, but the city has measures in place to ensure visitors are safe
Venice frequently experiences flooding, which locals call "acqua alta" or "high water". This occurs when unusually high tides push water from the Adriatic Sea into the Venetian Lagoon, aided by southern winds and low atmospheric pressure. While the flooding is typically not dangerous and usually subsides within a few hours, it can cause significant disruptions and impact the city's infrastructure and tourism industry.
In recent years, Venice has experienced several severe flooding events that have resulted in widespread devastation and even fatalities. In October 2018, an exceptional high tide put three-quarters of the city under water, with water levels reaching 156 cm (over 5 feet). More recently, in November 2019, Venice was hit by the highest tide in 50 years, causing extensive damage and leading to a state of emergency declaration. These events have highlighted the increasing frequency and severity of flooding in Venice due to rising sea levels and climate change.
Despite the frequent flooding, Venice remains a popular tourist destination, and the city has implemented several measures to ensure the safety of visitors during these events. Raised platforms and walkways, typically 120 cm (3.9 feet) above ground level, are installed on popular routes to help pedestrians stay dry and navigate the flooded areas. While some museums and tourist attractions may temporarily close during severe flooding, others remain open, allowing visitors to continue exploring the city's cultural offerings.
Venice Marco Polo Airport, located on the mainland, is generally not directly affected by flooding. However, during periods of exceptional tides, water connections to the airport can become difficult, impacting transportation to and from the airport. It is recommended that travellers arriving by plane prepare for potential disruptions and consider alternative means of transportation to reach the city. Overall, while Venice faces the ongoing challenge of flooding, the city remains committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of its residents and visitors through proactive measures and timely responses to flooding events.
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Venice's mayor has said that the flood levels have left permanent marks and are a result of climate change
Venice is no stranger to flooding, with the Venetians even having a name for the phenomenon: "acqua alta", or "high water". This refers to the occurrence of higher-than-normal water levels in the Venetian lagoon, which then overflow into the city, causing the canals to flood pedestrian walkways. However, in 2019, the city experienced the worst flooding in 50 years, with water levels reaching 1.87 metres—the second-highest level since records began in 1923.
Venice's mayor, Luigi Brugnaro, declared a state of emergency, stating that the flood levels had left permanent marks and were a result of climate change. He said:
> "We ask the government to help us. This is the result of climate change. [...] The situation is dramatic."
He also pledged that the multibillion-euro Mose project, designed to protect Venice from high tides, would be completed.
The flooding caused hundreds of millions of euros of damage, with St Mark's Basilica, a 1,000-year-old church, being flooded for only the sixth time in 1,200 years, but the fourth time in the last two decades. The archbishop of Venice, Francesco Moraglia, said that the basilica had suffered structural damage and that the water would cause irreparable harm to the mosaics and tiling. The governor of the Veneto region, Luca Zaia, described the scene as one of apocalyptic devastation, with the city on its knees.
The flooding also impacted travel to and within the city, with water connections to Venice Marco Polo Airport disrupted. While airlines continued to operate normally, travellers had to make their way to the city overland. The water-bus system was closed, except for connections to outlying islands, and raised walkways were erected on popular routes to help pedestrians stay dry.
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Venice's iconic St Mark's Square was submerged by more than one metre of water during flooding in 2019
Venice is no stranger to flooding. The phenomenon, known locally as "acqua alta" or "high water", occurs when an unusually high tide pushes water from the Adriatic Sea into the lagoon. This, combined with strong winds and low atmospheric pressure, causes the water to overflow the edges of the canals and flood pedestrian walkways. While this is a common occurrence during the fall and winter months, it can happen at any time of year and has been increasing in frequency over the past century.
In 2019, Venice experienced particularly severe flooding, with water levels reaching the highest they had been in half a century. The iconic St. Mark's Square was not spared, and on November 13, it was submerged by more than one metre of water. This was the third time that week that the square had to be closed due to flooding. The adjacent basilica was also flooded, causing "irreparable harm" to the mosaics and tiling, according to the archbishop of Venice, Francesco Moraglia.
The flooding in 2019 caused devastation throughout the city, with churches, shops, and homes inundated. The damage was estimated to be in the hundreds of millions of euros, and two people lost their lives. The governor of the Veneto region, Luca Zaia, described the scene as "apocalyptic devastation", with the city "on its knees". The disaster prompted discussions about the impact of global warming and the urgency of implementing flood protection measures.
Venice Marco Polo Airport was also impacted by the flooding. While airlines continued to operate normally, water connections to the airport were affected by the high tide. This meant that travellers had to find alternative ways to get to and from the airport, such as using raised walkways or taking land-based public transport.
The frequent and severe flooding in Venice has highlighted the need for effective flood protection measures. A major infrastructure project called Mose has been underway since 2003, but it has faced delays, cost overruns, and corruption scandals. With rising sea levels and the city gradually sinking, there is a growing sense of urgency to implement solutions that can protect this unique and historic city.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Venice Airport is affected by flooding. In 2019, the airport stated on its website that "water connections to the airport remain difficult due to the exceptional level of the tide". However, airlines were still operating normally.
Venice is generally considered a safe place to travel to, even during flooding. The city experiences regular flooding and officials have taken steps to ensure visitors are safe, such as installing raised platforms for tourists. However, in 2019, the Italian government declared a state of emergency due to the extreme flooding, which caused "widespread devastation".
Flooding in Venice is a common occurrence, referred to by Venetians as "acqua alta", meaning "high water". It happens when unusually high tides push water from the Adriatic Sea into the Venetian lagoon, aided by southern winds and low atmospheric pressure. While the flooding is typically not dangerous and usually subsides within a few hours, it has become more frequent in recent years, occurring at any time of the year.
