Question about Alta Aqua in Venice

When we experienced the Aqua Alta in November 2021, it amounted to nothing more than a couple of puddles in Piazza San Marco. That said, we could see the platforms stacked in nooks and passageways for use during higher events. So, it definitely can be deeper, but it seems that walkways are set up when this happens.

If you're really worried, perhaps bring some waterproof boot covers that wouldn't take a lot of space, like these: https://www.amazon.com/IwIeIaIrI-Waterproof-Non-Slip-Motorcycle-Reflector/dp/B0DNYLQW9F/ref=sr_1_12?crid=29K4IE0QSVCB5&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.MOG2-s2tWqRdFsrIr8hVe_OA6LEwsfdIvmfx30E49MfiWudgLeCY8O0rFywttoQxkpjk8SJoYPoM-ln9dtojQK_PNI7callr6zKAmsK1OcVTmev-HFOx66aTUkBBWTa0KDxdfk229tn8J0IYTTj_3x0W9DRAPRdng9DkbjVMIW4ZCQc6gYoms9InHdDz8DfVhoF1T8DcGPOx8UNqMchD_RpLtzITZSybvbbQPhWybHHidGBBaRNC82ycdSlKGgC6MS3ZKLKMzvtT554e3IfuScGJ3imgEFRjalrhKmYtkr4.lGgSJ17p68Gw7iMjKYphJ6oB7GnOQYymFupyfZA8rA4&dib_tag=se&keywords=waterproof%2Bboot%2Bcovers&qid=1783880160&sprefix=waterproof%2Bboot%2Bcovers%2Caps%2C198&sr=8-12&th=1

Generally, only a couple of hours at a time. Many places, especially Piazza San Marco, will have risers with walkways set up. Its a tidal thing. It depends a lot on the cycle of the moon, but also rain and steady wind blowing from the southeast that pushes water up the Adriatic. Check the lunar cycle during your dates. A full or new moon means higher tides.

I've been there during Acqua Alta and managed just fine without rubber boots, The high water even flooded my hotel breakfast area, thus the cryptic message, "Please come to breakfast by 6 am". At 7 am, someone noticed water on the floor and everyone was hustled out to a higher part of the hotel while the staff went to work getting everything made of wood out of the room. They even took the doors off of the rest rooms.

We have been in Venice twice when the Alta Aqua occurred, and we needed to purchase boots the 1st time. This was either 2017 or 2019. The water was up to mid-calf, and we just didn't want to slosh through icky water. The 2nd time in 2022, MOSE was working, and the water was confined to the Piazza San Marco, which dissipated by morning.

My suggestion is that if a big rainstorm is coming, make your dinner plans near your hotel and away from the Piazza. We'll also be in Venice in early November, and I appreciate you bringing this up. Perhaps bring 2 very large ZipLok bags to fit over his shoes and sturdy ties if you are worried.

It doesn't affect the entire island so you would never be stranded in your hotel. When it does happen, it's usually just Piazza San Marco (the lowest part of Venice) and some areas along the south part of Dorsoduro. There's plenty to do and see without getting your feet wet.
IMO, It's not worth it to pack a bulky single-use item for something that 1) may not happen, and 2) you can easily avoid.

Thank you for putting my mind at ease! And I looked up the lunar phase for our trip -- we'll be arriving just after the first quarter moon and departing before the full moon, so we should be in luck!

I have been in Venice for both light and heavy alta aqua and the city really just deals with it like cities that get snow deal with it and keep going. Once we had tickets for San Marco entrance during high water and we entered from the side entrance on elevated ramps over the watery entry way and the church itself was dry. By the time we left the walkways were gone and we walked out over the entrance areas that had been underwater when we came in.

Every area of the city has a number and the aqua alta alert includes an expected height number and time so every area in the city knows what to expect and when. Most of the city lies over 110 so anything above 90 under 110 means primarily Piazza San Marco.
There is a website that tracks that number: https://www.comune.venezia.it/it/content/centro-previsioni-e-segnalazioni-maree and until it starts to reach towards 100 you can effectively ignore it. You can also see how cyclical it is and how quickly it retreats.

Also know that when the water comes in it is not a flood of water but a slow process of the drains running backwards and slowly filled the surrounding area with water until it peaks and retreats the same way. If you get "trapped" somewhere behind a low point then either decide to go another way, see another part of the city or simply have spritz and cicchetti and wait for it to pass.

Enjoy Venice, it is a unique place in the world,
=Tod

I am happy we got an acqua alta on our second visit to Venice. San Marco was under about 4 inches of water and they set up a series of boardwalks to cross it and stay dry. I don't recall the water spreading any further than Piazza San Marco.

If you search “water on the venice floor” in the app store, there is an app that maps tidal inundation.

Fond memory of being in Venice during alta aqua - watched a couple navy officers in full dress white uniforms go into a nearby shop and come out with some plastic bags which they placed over their feet/shoes before wading into the water!

We hit alta aqua once, San Marco probably had 10 inches of water, maybe more in places, and the main street from the train station across Rialto bridge and into San Marco was flooded in several places, plus other areas. It was an unusually high event dur to a high tide coinciding with runoff from heavy rains into the lagoon.

But we got around, my wife did buy boots, I didn't bother, they are adept at dealing with it, stores put up barriers, the walkway platforms come out, and normal life goes on. Most shops and restaurants are still open, it will last a good portion of the day depending on how high it gets, just a little flooding, it will be gone quick and maybe only a day, if much higher, then it could be half a day and recur over several days.