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| December 3, 2008 | (Use j/k keys to navigate)  Email to a friend  Permalink |
Venice under water
The 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. (25 photos total)
Tourists take photos of each other in the flooded Piazza San Marco in Venice December 1, 2008. Large parts of Venice were flooded on Monday as heavy rains and strong winds lashed the lagoon city, with sea levels at their highest level in 22 years. Ferry and water taxi services in the city were suspended and Venice's mayor urged people to stay indoors. Tourists and residents struggled to get across the city over raised walkways. The Centro Maree, which forecasts water levels, said sea levels in the Adriatic rose 1.56 meters (5.1 ft) - a level not seen since 1986. (REUTERS/Manuel Silvestri)
A woman waits for a boat during floods on December 1, 2008 in Venice. Authorities in the Italian city of Venice issued a flood alert, warning that the sea was due to rise 1.60 meters above its normal level, the highest for 30 years. Nearly all the streets of the city, including the central tourist district were already under water by mid-morning with the famous Piazza San Marco by 80 centimeters (two feet, seven inches). (ANDREA PATTARO/AFP PHOTO/AFP/Getty Images) #
More links and information
Floodwaters Begin to Recede in Venice - NYTimes.com 12/2
Acqua Alta - Wikipedia Entry
Venice, Italy - Google map
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Thank you #372 and all of you who don't blame the people of the world causing Venice to be flooded!! I too fell in love with Venice....it was like walking into a painting at the turn of every corner....I can't wait to go back. It is a remarkable and beautiful city and I did not experience any bad smells from the sea or have any problems with birds pecking my head....if any of you had experienced that, maybe that's Venice's way of telling you to go HOME!
The people of Venice experience flooding regularly and yet continue to live happy lives regardless.
Oh my goodness, that's crazy. My mom, sister, sister-in-law and I were there in April of 2007. They told us stories of the floodings. But this is insane. I am so glad we weren't there when this happened.
I cannot believe that someday this will actually happen to beautiful Venice. Tthere must be some person(s) who can resolve this, . each country must invest a large sum of money to make a"something " to hold the water back........ come on guys and girls THINK .....there must be some scientists that can come up with a solution..All nations put your heads together and get going on this,...The whole world will thank you.
Aaaah Serenissima!......The most serene!!!
Venice is my favorite city in the entire world! I lived there for a month while working on aship (restoring the "Anastasis" for Y.W.A.M.), in 1979. I have been back twice, since. My brother and I had so much fun at Carnevale in 2006, that we are bringing friends back to Carnevale in 2009!!
We are wearing beautiful custom-made 18th century costumes!!!!! To see my dress and some other great photos of masks, go to Flickr.com and in the search box type Venice-carnival costume-Jodie and it will take you to my photos!! Ciao!
I've been to Italy several times, but I never had the privilege to know Venice, that I understand is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Every effort should be made to save that architectural and art cradle, so future generations can enjoy it.
As we aproche the end of time,the world we see more radical change not only in Venice but in many major cities such as, Rio De Janeiro,London,New york,Boston Amsterdam.
Since the time of JESUS,the world has witnessed a big change.The sea level is rising dramatically for centuries.The earth landiscape is taking another shape;soon all the costal cities will desappear as the waters goes further into the land.
the U.S. Climate Change Science Program, estimated that the compounding effects of the loss of Arctic Sea ice will more than double previous projections by the end of the century. We are seeing troubling signs that the dramatic changes in the region of Antarctic and Greenland, threat the rest of the planet." According to It has been noticed that glaciers have melted more than normal over the past century. It was argued in the past that this was a normal process that takes place over time, but this is now proving wrong. Many glaciers have melted so fast over the past few decades that they have vanished from the face of the earth forever. Many glaciers that remain are today facing the same fate. They are reducing in size year after year because the falling snow is not able to replace the amount of of melting ice" Many scientists concluded the the responsable for this change is the sudden and rapid industrialization which in turn has caused global warming - the prime culprit of fast melting glaciers,if this was the case,than we could say the the flood that brought about the destrution of the ancient world of Noah,was caused by global warming,but we all know that there was not such thing as global warming 5,000 years ago !The point is, most of the scientists that are engaged in fiding the answer about the freake weather that has plagued this world don't ,believe there is a GOD to who every single human being that ever lived in the face of this earth will give account.
The disturbing natural events sweping throughout the world,is not caused by global warming.I totally agree that the industrialization are destryoing the enviroment,no doubt about it !Alot of nuclear waist has been dumped into the sea. Under the sea lakes of industrial waist has been formed thausands of factories, and there is no solution for this global problem.Russian submarine nuclear waist has been dumped into the sea for long time.According to Dr. Wally N'Dow, Secretary General of Habitat of "UNITED NATION" 50 percent of all potable water is wasted or lost in the developing world;Pollution, with some 2 million tons of human excrement and an ever-increasing volume of untreated discharge from industry going into urban water supplies every day.keep in mind that all these lethal polution ends up into the sea.
The problem of venice is not unic; last december 2008, intire cities in Brazil have soffred heavy rain for 50 day,that has been declared no longe a place safaty to to leave;many people have died.The authorities prohibited the people to lived there.Thousands of people have to relocate to other places. xxxx The threat is already a reality in some cities. Mexico City, located on an arid plateau, must bring water in over large distances, as well as lifting it more than 7,000 feet above sea level, for its present population of 20-plus million. It does not have an adequate supply now, and its population is still growing rapidly. Billions of dollars must be spent if Mexico City is to have a sufficient supply, but its Federal Government lacks the money. Mexico City has sunk 10.7 meters (some 35 feet) in the past 70 years because of the withdrawal of water from the groundwater sources, or aquifer. Both Bangkok and Houston face the same problems as Mexico City, though not yet as severe.
At this point, this world has been changed for the worse,and things will not get better,the worse is yet to come.We need to pay attention to what JESUS said,only His intervention will save this planet,from natural disasters,from famine,desease and nuclear destruction.The prophet Isaiah says : 6 For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, [b] Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David's throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the LORD Almighty
will accomplish this( Isaiah 9:6-7)
melting ice.
Josue De Oliveira
There`s always sonwhere worse than where you think you are ???? Geoff
This makes me sad...hope the damage is repairable.
really cute! :D
Quanto mais agua, mais turistas. Veneza nos mostra quanto e' grande o seu encanto.
Roberto Perazzo
Salvador-Bahia, Brasil
APESAR DOS PESARES, BELÍSSIMA!!!
APESAR DOS PESARES, BELÍSSIMA!!!
While the water would make for a unique dining experience it appears the Venetians are handling this challenge well. Our visit for nearly a week in September 2008 revealed one of the world's most fabulous and quietest cities. We are also in awe of how fit the residents are...walking everywhere has it benefits. Not sure how aqua-cise will help but we will definately go back to Venice to find out.
Ciao
Imprecionante como o tempo muda tudo.
O homem sempre pensa que é o melhor em tudo...
e vendo uma situação como esta que percebemos que temos sempre
que nos lembrar do mais importane: DEUS.
Não adianta guardar tantas coisas se no final não levamos nada daqui.
A natureza - tantas vezes agredidas - está mostrando que o ser humano
tem que rever URGENTE SEUS VALORES!!!
Lamento por tanta beleza e história que está se perdendo nas águas...
that looks so0oo0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0oooo0oooo0o0o0o000o kool
when i saw the pictures i waz like OMG i cant believe that people would acually walk in the flood. i would put on really tall rain boots.
-from america,staten island new york
Daaa! Vineciu podtopilo maleha)))
I just returned from a Venice vacation. There was no flooding problems at all at the end of December. St. Mark's Basilica and Doges Palace showed no evidence of high water. The shops we visited and my hotel Kette showed no indications of flood either.
As gorgeous as ever, in Venice, Murano, and Burano.
It is true that the Earth goes through a series of cyclical climatic changes-it goes from cooling to warming and all over again,it is how it works.But trying to deny the effects the human being is causing is just pretending we are not to blame so that our consciences can rest.We are not destroying the Earth,but we are accelerating its natural process,and I wonder what will happen if we can never adapt to the warming and just die out as many of other animal species before us-cause don't you ever forget that,after all,we are just animals.
Its great. There is no where for the trashy knock off purse vendors to dispaly their crap.
BRAVO ITALIA!!!!!!!
Wow!! Gorgeous...
I'm so jealous...
In my country, Greece, with a sprinkle of rain you can't go nowhere!!
....So natty solutions!!!!!!!!!
BRAVISIMO :))))))))))))))
I am a seasoned and avid world traveler. I have visited Venice more than any other place. It's unique, romantic, historic and magical! I will visit again and again until it sinks or I pass from this earth. I wonder which will come first.
The earth is changing and I am sorry to say not for the better. It is time that we all realize what is killing our precious earth..................OVER-POPULATION! We rape the earth everyday to sustain human life and in fact we are killing ourselves! May Venice survive!
To karishma roy, we(contemporary christians) don't necessarily disagree with Nostradamus. We are mainly concerned with the source of his inspiration. He may be indeed correct about Venice's events but where does that inspiration come from? The bible, as we believe and come to know as God's word, is not so much concerned with simply where a thing happens or how transpires but how it relates to HIS plan and purpose. I don't mean to be cruel in saying this but the flooding of Venice is not as critical as how Venice fits in with world events politically and socially. I pray that Venice does recover from such an abnomality and that their economy doesn't suffer much from this.
it is so sad ...
Venice is ghetto. The pollution, graffiti and over-crowding there are insane. The food is horrible and the people are rude. These pictures do it a lot of justice. Probably because most of the filth is under water. I say ciao Venice! You deserve to go under.
Dana, I will pray for you, as you are evidently blinded and unable to see the magnificence of Venice.
I pity your feelings, for they are illogical and prejudiced, lacking facts. Venice is irreplaceable.
Long live Venice, it's beauty, people, architecture, uniqueness and it's churches.
hi my name is nader parsa yekta .from iran .tehran it was very beautiful city venice .
I am sorry, but I know that Venice will overcome.
My blessings to all the wonderful Italian people who make it a pleasure to come and visit. Not only for the beauty, the history, but the wonderful food and wine.
Salut . We love you Italy.
PS: Will see you again shortly.
Tony
.......SPEECHLESS OF THE VIEW.....................
.......SURPRISED OF HOW THE PEOPLE FACED THE PROBLEM......................
HOPE THE BEST FOR VENICE FROM NOW AND ON...........................
Hola, Yo estuve exactamente hace 3 años en esa bella ciudad, era mi sueño conocerla había un frío insoportable, pero no importaba estando en ese bello lugar regalado por Dios a esas personas que ahí viven; por eso creo que no se inmutan , pues hay que pagar por ese privilegio.
Da nostalgia ver esa plazza de San Marco inundada ahora, y la terraza frente al puente Rialto, pero aún así no pierde su encanto este lugar.
Vivo en El Salvador, Centroamérica.
It is sooooo sad to see all this.
Was in beautiful Venice in Feb 2008.
I love that place. Remember all of thos pictures but without the water
Fa 30 anys vaig estar ha VENECIA. Es fantastica,inolvidable!!!!!!!
El sitio mas lindo que he visto en mi vida . Mientras mas lleno de agua mas lindo es.Estuve dias antes de las inundaciones de dic. pero tambien estuvo inundado .Es mi segundo viaje a Venecia pero pienso volver.
FANTASTIC
Venice is smelly (you get used to it) as it was purposely built on a swamp. While I have a bias towards Rome ( birthplace), Florence is my second favorite Italian city. There's just something about that city....
The pictures about Venice flooding and the venetians making their way in the City are very beautiful, although they are used to the routine of high waters, that we wish they are soon solved in this wonderful town
All my lives I have been in Venezia. I tell you, water will come and water will go but you will never wet our ghosts.
We love Venice and pray for this beautiful and wonderful city. So fascinating.
May God bless the people with such courage to face these obstacles. Please keep Venice safe for the generations.
Jorge (rsponse #352) presents a very nasty comment, about the trash going out to the Atlantic and then to Texas. I say, "Mist on you, Pister, You ain't so mucking fuch.
David C
Boston
What a pity, that many people do not understand the beauty of Venice under water. Water comes and goes,that's one of the many fascinations of Venice
Can you say mold? Must be a great place for asthmatics.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Hey man, did you see that, those poor cats are sure messed up
I wonder what they were gettin' into, or were they just lost in the flood?"
--- Bruce ---
agreed to cemment 445,I really love acqua alta,I really wanna see the real one since it's one of Venice's most attractive point ~~
Beautiful, beautiful Venezia!!! We were there in September 2008 and loved every minute of our stay!!! Venetians are to be commended for continuing in this beautiful and wonderful city. My wish is for God's blessings to be on all the wonderful Italian people who make Venice a pleasure to visit; not only for the beauty, the history and the people, but the wonderful food and wine.
We truly enjoyed Venezia and hope to return someday!! God Bless!!
Je n'en reviens pas non plus de voir ces photos car j'y étais en février 2004. A ce moment, on avait eu un tempête de neige incroyable. J'ai quand meme adoré mon voyage à Venise.
Ginette Fortin
St -Félicien
Québec
How sad.....for such a beautiful city. I vacationed there back in the 50's.
Our last trip to Venice was so wonderful.....the small restaruant ,the dinner and the trip walk around would turn even old crocks like me on!!!! Loved every minute!!
Amazing but very sad.
Venus was beautiful twenty years ago I Hope it will be as beautiful in April 2009 when I return to see it.
I LOVE ITALY, I ADORE VENICE!!!! ITS AMAZING...I WAS THERE LAST JUNE...OMG...I WANT TO LIVE THERE 4 EVER!!!!! QUE BELLA !
Una citta é bellissima ma per i veneziani la vita é difficile, l'estate ci sono tanti turisti, l'inverno acqua!
someone pls tellme why venice was built on water?have been tryin to find the reason online, *@%# evryone tells me how i wanna know why??? to all u citizens of venice enlighten me pls!!!
its really dangerious if electricity pass water ?
i love water baby=]
That's so nasty!
How come those cool and pretty cities have to suffer such disasters....
All Things Must Pass - so shall Venice. Pity.
I was in Venice three months ago and it was during high tide, so it was flooded and there were so many people on the boardwalks, but it was still amazing.
when i see this pieture then i was thinking that was so beautiful
but some time that was an horiable
Venice is my favorite city in the world. I experienced these floods during my
school years abroad.. I thought it was so amazing how these Venetians adapted
to it all. I hope and pray we can find a way to save this magnificent city from the
perils of our environment. Viva Italia.. Viva Venezia...
Venizia - ahh Italy, the world is drowning. My former favorite city is now, almost a FORMER city. But what does it all matter if our oceans are rushing in to drown you and our sister oceanfront cities. The ice and snow keep melting, and what are we doing about it? Well who can sift through the massive depressing mess we've created in our children's world. Just do something, DO something, each and everyone of you DO anything to help. We bought a Hybrid, and I do my bit with energy saving appliances and recycling. So if not now, when? Only when it is too late? Really?? China is going through its "industrial revolution", poluting without a care, as many nations (including the U.S.) are. The poor (and greedy ) care not about the water or air, for lack of food and shelter. But who needs food and shelter, if there is NO water and air? So, just DO ...something! ... or enjoy the slushy sidewalks of Venice, New Orleans...Boston? And perhaps your city too.
We are all doomed - It is sad, yet thrilling to look forward to in a way. It will be an interesting next 3-4 years before 12-21-2012 !
Es increible lo que ha pasado en esta bella ciudad de Venecia ,ciudad del romance y del amor .
Sorry guys but what happened in Venice in early december has nothing to do with global warming!
Venice is situated in the north Adriatic Sea which is very shallow and felt the influence of tides.
The flood of the early December was caused by two factors together: high tide and strong south-est wind (Scirocco) blowing strong for 5 days.
The Scirocco push the water up to the north Adriatic sea and the High tide period do the rest.
If you look at the wheather chart you can see that the flood came to Venice always when Scirocco is Blowing!
And to tell you the truth in the last 5 years the Scirocco was not being so frequent (I can tell you this because I’m a surfer and a windsurfer of the Adriatic Sea and the Scirocco is my favourite wind).
The problem is that Venice is sinking and the “Mose” project is in a terrible delay: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MOSE_Project
I hope to make your mind clear about the problem of Venice.
Ciao
M.
I am very angrey,it is so sad,but Venice is a Great & Beautiful,...ALWAYS.
sooooooo,we have floods,typhoons,earthquakes, hurricanes etc.etc. We are a participant of life....enjoy the moment , learn from it all and be helpful!!!
What happen to the flood gate proposed in the 70's which suppose to prevent all these flood... the construction started many years ago, shouldn't it be finished by now? The flood is predictable and preventable. Venice is making a lot of money from the tourist, if the city wants to keep the cash coming in, they better speed up the flooding control works. That is the key of the matter.!
we love you in this difficult time . God be with you.
Keep smiling.
I think it`s beautifull no matr what ! I wish Icould take sometimes off and travel to venice rightawy .
Amazing pictures, but what's more amazing is how illiterate, narrow-minded and unable to think can people be. I'm talking about those who blame "global warming" on this "high waters". Some are even predicting the "End of the World" (#411)! Yo, people, are you totally stupid?!? Haven't you noticed a link above to "Acqua Alta" site? Here it is: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acqua_Alta - check it out and you'll see that Venice is prone to such "floods". And they kept records since approx. 6th century...!!! And that this one is even NOT the worst flood (morons couldn't even read the text - worst in 22 YEARS, meaning 22 years ago was same or worse, understand? And at that time the likes of you were screaching "global freezing"!).
it was nice
I did not see to many unhappy faces inspite of all this flooding. Venice must be a wonderful place with many happy people n it.
I did not see to many unhappy faces despite all of all this flooding. It would seem that the folks are pretty much used to this type of weather and it was just another day. and by the way I am from the beautiful island in the West Indies , Barbados of course : )
I VISITED VENICE IN 1954 THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS AT THAT TIME.IT MAKES ME SAD TO SEE TO SEE THIS DISASTER TO SUCH A HISTORICAL CITY
wow this pics are amazing and the extreme wakeboardong is cool =) www.hackmaskate.net
horoshie foto, ochen interesno bylo progulyat'sya vmeste s fotografom
My trip to Venice was unforgetable due to its magnificence, Unbelievable that this beauty could ever dissapear,
We'll be visiting Venice, Italy in late May, 2009 are there still floods in Venice we are looking forward to visit St. Marks Cathedral, is it okay now? Thank you
Dear sirs,
Your photos attracted me very deeply.My permit me to request you to email me more photos in the future.I like to keep my contacts with you. If allow me I would like to send your photos to my friends.
With wishes and prosperou and happiness
Best Regards
Farzi
foto foto nya kren abissss,...
kapan ya bisa kesana....hahahhaha lol
Is it believable someday in the future such a wonderlful and beautiful place go under water slowly forever and ever?
Hopefully not...
I HAD ONCE SUCH AN EXPERIENCE 16YEARS AGO AT MY HOMETOWN AROUND MY HOME,IT BROUGHT BACK MY MEMORY.
Looks like New Orleans after Hurricane Betsy and Katrina, without the devastation
you may want to read Billy Meier's prophecies about Italy and how it will sink into the ocean. I'm afraid it may not come back but it will just get worse if his predictions are accurate. Enjoy it while you can but I'd head for higher ground.
Ten wakeboarder mi pripomíná Medvídka od Lucie"
Za 30 stríbrných
z medvídka padá sníh
a ti rímští psi
ho sjíždejí na saních
o vánocích
Aleš
nature at it's best/worst. Was surprised nothing was said or noted that venice still empties all it's raw sewage into the channels. PS don't go swimming.
i love it
WOW this is amasing I hope that I will be able to visit Venice before it goes under! It looks sooo beautiful!
I can't believe it is happening.... Venice is the most beautiful place on the Earth in my oppinion!!!!!!!!!!!!! Venice I love you! you can't leave us!.......... :'-(
É pessoal, se aqui é no Brasil, esse caso seria uma grande enchente as famílias desabrigadas, mas será que lá é sempre assim.
venice is beautiful and should never go down the moses project is bad for the enviernment but if it saves venice im all for it!
luv u alex!
i love venice i cannot believe this is happening to it, i hope it i dosent sink!
luv u alexis rogero!
with respect to post 400 wtf do you ,Tracy get the idea that Venice is built of wood and it floats .unfortunately idiots like you seem to have the money to travel , although the info never sinks in , look at the pictures everything is solid rock, marble and other kinds
Hello! We are thinking about visiting Italy and are trying to figure out what is the best place to visit? Rome? Venice? Florence? Or? We have children who would come with us. Could you offer recommendations?
Chris and Monique
San Diego, CA
I was there on 22 September 2008. It was awesome experience to visit Venice, one of the unique wonder in the world. Locals are used to these kind of high tide, but for the tourists it will be hard time.
I don't know Venice, but I don't like this situatons, because in my state, when rain a lot, always happen it.
I live in Santa Catarina - Brazil.
My wife and I visited venice several years ago and water level rose above the wooden walk way by several inches. these pictures are unbe
leiveable. Our hearts go out to the people of venice
It must be very hard to cope with. May god be wih you!
Elaine and Malcolm MacMartin- Burbank,Calif. USA
Uauuu!! Fascinante !
My family were there several years ago in December and it happened to us. It will happen every time they have a spring tide and southerly winds in the adriatic raising water levels in the Venice lagoon. They are no strangers to it thats why there are tressels stacked everywhere to make a raised platform for people to walk on! The locals have waders and wellies! This, however, was a pretty extreme storm and is more than they normally experience.
bahaha when we were there 5 months befor hand it was nothing like this we saw an image of were we sat :P love it!
i wonder wat will hapen if the opposite of that happened that most of the water will go away maybe you could se the bottom
Hello, Venice will never sink. They are building the Moses flooding gates. That will save venice for many years to come. The lagoon will not be to stagnant because the gates will not be up all the time. After a storm the flood gates will go down and the water will circulate again. Pollution prevention has kept the lagoon clean. The moses will be a savior for venice and the lagoon. I was there 2 years ago and let me tell you it is the most magnificent city on earth!