When is venice flooded

Venice's high water incidents are caused by a combination of factors exacerbated by climate change - from rising sea levels and unusually high tides to land subsidence that has caused the ground level of the city to sink. A long-delayed flood barrier was deployed for the first time last October, but it is only activated to block the most potentially damaging tides of more than cm 4 ft 3 inches and so did not enter into operation on Sunday.

That leaves St. Annapaola Lavena has a business along the square in front of St. She and other business owners there increasingly see themselves at the center of the climate crisis. Venice lives thanks to its artisans and tourism. Colleen Barry reported this story for The Associated Press. Ashley Thompson was the editor. Submit comment. Load more comments. Search Search. Audio menu. Learning English Broadcast.

Previous Next. It often indicates a user profile. Log out. US Markets Loading H M S In the news. Hannah Towey. Venice flooded once again last week, as "acqua alta" season continues from October to January. Photos show tourists with colorful rain boots wading through city squares and dining in flooded cafes. Experts say rising sea levels are increasing the frequency and intensity of the yearly floods.

Each year between the months of October and January, sections of Venice experience extreme flooding. The seasonal high tides are known as "acqua alta," or "high water.

Mark's Square to create elevated sidewalks. It turns into total gridlock, as all the people normally sharing the whole square jostle for space on these narrow wooden walkways. After the flood, officials knew something had to be done, but it took about four decades to settle on a solution. Named for the acronym of its Italian name, Modulo Sperimentale Elettromeccanico, it's also a nod to Moses and his albeit temporary mastery over the sea.

Underwater "mobile" gates are being built on the floor of the sea at the three inlets where the open sea enters Venice's lagoon. When the seawater rises above a certain level, the gates will rise and shut out the Adriatic.

The first gates are already installed but, in good Italian fashion, corruption and scandal have surrounded the project. Combined with technical challenges, the completion date continues to get pushed into the future — the lastest estimate is You can learn more about the project on the MOSE website. Gene Openshaw is the co-author of the Rick Steves Venice guidebook.