Venice Flooding Impact

https://www.comune.venezia.it/

Use google translate if you can't read Italian.

From experience, some vaporettos will have to be curtailed at extreme high water times where they can't get under bridges, mainly on the Rio di Cannaregio.

Does anyone know if water transportation is working?

Yes, water transportation is working. The flooding is gone, since early morning yesterday.

A lot of clean up, mostly businesses and churches on the ground floor, were being done yesterday. Otherwise, business as usual.

We were in Venice during a year of exceptional flooding. While some modes of water transportation were halted due to adverse conditions, the city kept going. Consider wearing shoes that can get wet.

And pants that can roll up .... or at least dry quickly once you get back to your room.

My mom and sister arrived Sunday late morning and departed today. As of yesterday, the water transportation was up and running (wasn't on Monday). They said no wet feet yesterday.

Street vendors always seem to appear with plastic knee length over shoes just before Acqua Alta comes. The well prepared have more stylish gear. The high water on Monday got nearly waste deep in Piazza San Marco, so that wouldn't work. The Venice marathon finish was interesting.
https://metro.co.uk/2018/10/30/marathon-runners-splash-through-ankle-deep-water-as-venice-sinks-in-flood-8086403/

Well, that is good news, hopefully the flooding will STAY gone. We will be arriving in Rome on the 10th and Venice on the 14th. We can't wait, but we were REALLY bummed to hear about the flooding going on - and saddened by the deaths, of course. How does that happen? I mean these weren't raging floodwaters, like flash floods, were they? I don't know what happened, it just seemed odd to me that 11 people died?? In the Midwest of the United States we do see people die in storms from flooding, but those are usually flash floods with rushing waters. I didn't get the impression this was what was going on in Venice, but I am not an expert by any means.

Anyways, I am hoping that in 2 weeks, things will be cleaned up and enough back to normal to be able to enjoy our trip. My prayers do go out to the people of Venice and Italy in general, though, I heard they had problems in Rome, too and had closed the Colosseum and Forum early.

Appreciate any updates folks can give.

I was watching the TODAY Show this morning and was shocked at the height of the water. Unbelievable to see people walking through thigh high water levels! We were there for a week starting 8/26. We feel very fortunate. From what I gathered, it's expected that this type of occurrence going forward may be the "norm." Climate change?

I don't know what happened, it just seemed odd to me that 11 people died??

These were not in Venice but all over Italy from flash floods in mountainous areas. Liguria and Cinque Terre were particularly hard hit.

I don't know what happened, it just seemed odd to me that 11 people
died??

As said above, the fatalities didn't happen in Venice but in other regions, most due to falling trees. That's a common storm danger here in the U.S. too.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2018/10/30/italy-storms-violent-weather-kills-least-11/1821468002/

I know it was a serious situation and much damage was caused but I found most fascinating in the video clips I watched how folks were just going about their business despite the water levels.
Not just the marathon but to see patrons dining in a restaurant and waiters carrying pizzas through water ; to shop keepers with their doors open.
Shows the resilience of the local population for sure.

What's the update for CT? Someone mentioned they were hit hard.

...but I found most fascinating in the video clips I watched how folks
were just going about their business despite the water levels.

Like this one?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Ef2sl7IFzQ

Yeah Kathy ; that exact clip. I saw it as part of a Washington Post feature but they had part of that video sliced together with some other videos.
So unique!

Don't know what time OP is arriving in Venice today, but the sirens went off this morning forecasting high water cresting at 120cm at 2:30pm, about 14 inches lower than Monday.

These measurements are what? Based on normal canal levels? So they're 120cm over normal? It sounds much better than the 160cm I was seeing earlier in the week, but my wife is asking me how low (relatively) they have to fall for the flooding to recede? One article I read said the flooding receded in St. Mark's Square in about 16 hours... but is it coming and going?

I don't know, we're seriously trying to decide if we should cancel our Venice plans from 14-16 Nov and just stay in Rome? We would lose out on our hotel payment and Italo tickets, probably about $600 total, not counting having to book new hotel arrangements in Rome for that time. We're not in any hurry to make a decision, though, so we're going to continue to monitor things.

I would not cancel and take some pleasure in experiencing Venice differently than most can.
Could be nice for some unique pictures.

Look up the tides, I am sure you can find that information on line what time each day high and low tide is for Venice and plan to do most activities around the lower tide periods.
These are not flash floods that can be dangerous and unpredictable but high tide higher than normal coming in, so entirely predictable and can be planned around as a tourist.

That said if you have some unique situation like needing to wheel 4 bags around at all times or have a mobility challenged person in your group then I would feel differently.

Just received an informative email from RS guide Sarah Murdoch-- "Why does Venice flood?" Adventureswithsarah.net.

November 15 is the half moon, when the tidal fluctuations are at a minimum, so November 14 to 16 should be the safest time to go if you want to avoid Acqua Alta.

Somewhere in Venice there is a tidal reference point, the zero bench mark. All tide levels and ground levels are referenced to that point.

The Piazza is the lowest point in Venice, with levels of around 80cm, so a tide higher than 80 sees water flowing up through the drains into the Piazza.

When a tide of 120cm is forecast, it would mean that the Piazza has about 40cm of water. It does not mean that a depth of 120cm can be found anywhere.

Venice has been mapped to an accuracy of one cm, also the level of every door sill has been mapped. This link gives the contour map:
http://smu.insula.it/index.php@option=com_content&view=article&id=114&Itemid=81.html

If you zoom in on an area, you can see all the levels. For example, the area in front of the bar Ai Artisti in Campo San Barnaba (my favourite Venetian bar) will have water puddling at a tide of 115cm.

That's all very helpful information, thanks to everyone.

With that topographic map, and the help of this predictive tide chart (https://www.tide-forecast.com/locations/Venezia-Italy/tides/latest ), I can make a reasonable guess, which looks like the 2 days we will be there are about the best time we could have chosen. Of course, the predictions don't take weather and wind into account, which I understand can really affect things, but it seems the best predictive information there is.

Now I am looking forward to things a little bit more and not dreading so much the potential disaster. lol

Here is a photo of the tidal reference point. It is on the Giudecca Canal side of the old customs house at Punta Della Salute. That is Chiesa di San Giogio Maggiore in the left hand back ground.
https://www.google.com/maps/@45.4307911,12.336616,3a,60y,140.13h,79.42t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s_Cmx56fnd4E7FSV6QPkk0w!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

BTW, I've been to Venice during Acqua Alta, although not a 157 cm event, it was deep enough they had to set up the raised walkways on the Lista di Spagna. There was a cryptic note in our hotel that we should plan on having breakfast beginning at 5:30. At 5 am, a siren went off right outside the hotel. We went to breakfast shortly after 6:00. Just before 7:00, some one stood up and announced "My feet are wet!" That was our cue to grab our coffee cups and clear out of the canal side breakfast room, and the staff went through the high water drill. That included taking the wooden doors off the bathrooms and placing them a metal table out of harms way.

We are interested in visiting Venice on our next trip to Italy. However, we are leaning toward staying in Padua and going to Venice as a day trip.

Why? The best part of staying in Venice is walking around (sometimes on the raised duckboards) during the night, when the crowds of daytrippers have finally gone.

It's just a tide, it comes... It goes... If the southern winds and the moon meet over the Adriatic See the tide will be higher than usual, otherwise only San Marco Square in the morning will be affected.

Kids love the "acqua alta," and as always they are right: when it's around 120 it's actually funny and interesting. A lot of Venice details become suddenly clear.

Bob, Stay in Venice, not on the mainland in Mestre.

I have visited when it was occurring. It was not 157 cm but it was amazing to see. We started at the lowest point and gradually moved to higher ground. It was amazing to see the water bubbling up from the drains and between the cobbles!

We will be staying in Malcanton hotel Nov 20-22. Thanks for the topo map and predictive tide chart web links. Looks like Malanton area is approximately 130cm - 150cm.

My wife and I along with our son (25 years old) are traveling to Venice Dec. 13-15, 2018. The recent flooding and the magnitude of the acqua alta has me looking into alternative locations to spend these days and avoid Venice altogether. I have some very practical questions regarding the flooding, the answers of which are not easy to find;
1. Apparently Saint Mark's Basilica has been flooded and severely damaged. I believe it was closed for a time. I have read concerns about how long, if ever, they will be able to repair the damage. Will it be open in December when we are there?
2. What is a 24 hour day like during this period - does the water bubble up and flood everything during acqua alta and then as the tide recedes does all the water drain and the square dries out? Or is everything perpetually wet throughout the entire day and evening. Hard to pick apart what the news is showing during acqua alta (worse case depth at a given time) and how long that situation lasts before the water recedes.
3. A more important question from a health standpoint, is that I have read the sewage system being build in the 1500's backs up and bubbles up through the drains throughout the city and adds to the volume of water coming into Venice. And I have read that Venice can and will have a distinct smell during acqua alta's, I don't know what smell they are referring to, musty, moldy, or sewage smell? Now, I don't know about you, but if the water in the square is contaminated by sewage and I roll my pants up, and I wear shoes that are waterproof, and I get wet, I am going to want to immediately wash things out. And if the water is contaminated with sewage, I wouldn't want to touch anything either. The news footage and photos seem to take a cavalier view upon the flooding and cover it like; "you are so lucky to be in Venice during acqua alta not everyone gets to experience that". Well coming from the USA where spring flooding is devastating in some areas of the country, I personally don't want to be near Venice when it is under water.
4. Last question - ALTERNATIVES - we are spending 5 days in Rome the week prior, then 5 days in Florence, if the magnitude of the acqua alta continues through December, are there any forum recommendations on where and what to do if we don't go to Venice?

My apologies for the long post, but a lot of unknowns, the answers of which will help us plan accordingly. Any and all response are appreciated. Thank you. Sincerely,

Acqua Alta is primarily a tidal event lasting only a few hours once a day. It is added to if there is a strong steady south wind blowing water up the Adriatic toward Venice, and more so if heavey rains dump a lot of water in the lagoon. All three of these we're present at the October 29 event. It was Just a few days after a full moon when tides are at a maximum.

I can't predict the weather for middle of December, but December 15 is a half moon, when tides are lowest.

Will it be open in December when we are there?

bhathaway, it might be best if you start a NEW thread with your question versus piggyback on Millie's. She is already there (and has possibly already moved on) but your trip isn't for another month or more.

That said, the basilica is open to visitors NOW. There's nothing on the website which states that it's closed other than normal hours.

http://www.basilicasanmarco.it/informazioni-per-i-turisti/?lang=en

Like any attraction at all, some unforeseen circumstance could close it temporarily but you can't anticipate those events. Venice can be wet and chilly in winter but if you anticipate that and dress for it, it's no reason to avoid it.