Flooding in Venice, Italy, forces 3,000 to evacuate
Alarms went off at 6:37 a.m. Monday (Dec. 1) in Venice, Italy, when floodwaters hit a high-tide mark of 61 inches, according to the Associated Press. St. Mark’s Square (above) and other regions of the city built on water are now under water.
The AP reports that 3,000 people were forced to evacuate during one of the highest tides in the city’s history.
London’s Daily Mail reports online that the mayor is urging tourists to stay away from the city. See “Where’s a gondola when you need one? Tourists warned to stay away from Venice.”
The AP also reported that floodwaters were starting to recede Monday afternoon as low tide was beginning to set in.
— Mary Forgione, Los Angeles Times staff writer
[Photos: (top) St. Mark's Square under water. Credit: Luigi Costantini / Associated Press. (bottom) The Doge's Palace, right, during the Venice flooding. Credit: Andrea Pattaro / AFP / Getty Images]
18 Comments on “Flooding in Venice, Italy, forces 3,000 to evacuate”
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December 1st, 2008 at 5:06 pm
I had several friends who were forced to evacuate as a result of the flooding. This time of year is always know for its acqua alta and I think highlights how rapid climate is changing. I hope this is not a regular occurrence, for both the sake of locals, tourists, and the thousands of artistic monuments in Venice.
December 1st, 2008 at 6:10 pm
I thought they were building something to keep the water back, similar in concept to what has been done to protect London, how is that going along? Maybe they need to hurry it along…
December 1st, 2008 at 7:06 pm
There are those who still maintain that global warming is in the mind of the wackos who stand on corners warning of our collective doom. I think of the selfish who want to maintain perpetual, wars, or wasteful spending on pet projects while millions perish because there is not enough to eat. I think of those with out health plans or no way to get one. We as a people could eliminate poverty, starvation, death and destruction and at the same time protect our fragile enviroment with just a years worth of the dollars spent in Iraq. Saving monuments like Venice is a piece of cake. All we need is the will.
December 1st, 2008 at 7:35 pm
During the mid 60’s, flooding happened there. Members of the Italian Heritage in Bakersfield were asked to donate to help in the clean up. Mild dew was everywhere.
It is inevitable that the flooding will occur again and again.
December 1st, 2008 at 8:19 pm
I was in the Air Force stationed 60 miles north of Venice in Aviano Italy and went to Venice almost every weekend we weren’t skiing in the Alps. The water has always been a problem there this time of year. It rained for two straight weeks after I arrived back in 1983 and flooded that year too. They are building a barrier similar to the one on the Thames river that protects London, but it wont be finished until 2011. Interestingly enough thye figured out one of the reason Venice was sinking was because they were drawing the water table down for drinking water. Once they stopped doing that and got water from above ground resevoirs, the sinking slowed greatly but still persists. The city is so old and has sunk so much that many of the dungeons used in old prisons are now completely underwater.
December 1st, 2008 at 8:33 pm
Nobody was forced to “evacuate”. Floods are normal in Venice, especially in November. This one was higher than usual, meaning that if you have a ground floor business in Venice that is normally flood free, you might have had some problems.
But the Venetians are used to this kind of problems and most ground floor businesses are accordingly equipped.
There are very few people who live on ground floor level, and the few ground floor apartments that exist are almost all raised high enough to escape high water levels.
It has nothing to do with climate change; high water has always existed in Venice.
The MOSE flood barrier is still under construction and there is strong disagreement about it of any help against the tides at all.
December 2nd, 2008 at 4:09 am
I love venice. Fabulous place to visit they always have those floods nothing new just have to deal with it.
December 2nd, 2008 at 4:46 am
Considering that I live in Vicenza which is a short ways away from Venice my guess is that it’s a combination of the incompetence on our part as well as global warming. I think if us Italians really wanted to fix this it would have been fixed despite the fact that it’s been happening for some time. I don’t buy that …. that it wouldn’t help to do something we are living in 2008 not the 14 century. If we can fly to the moon then there is probably a way to save Venice.
December 2nd, 2008 at 7:26 am
I love Pisa! I am so sad to hear it is being destroyed by floods. I hope all the animals and plants are ok. :(
December 2nd, 2008 at 7:28 am
I live in Reno, and I didn’t notice any flooding here.
December 2nd, 2008 at 7:39 am
Flooding in Venice…
Image via Wikipedia
Every winter Venice gets flooded and the locals call it, Acqua Alta and this year is the worst for 30 years. The water rose to about 4 feet and boats were being paddled to get across Piazza San Marco. The city has taken steps…
December 2nd, 2008 at 8:00 am
I’ve found a good web site for narrated slide tours of Venice (without floods) http://www.museumplanet.com It has extensive coveage of all the monuments in Venice inside and out. Doesn’t cost anything to view.
December 2nd, 2008 at 8:00 am
Anyone who has ever visited Venice knows flooding happens regularly. At least that’s what the tour guides tell you.
I believe global warming is occuring. I don’t think you’re wacko if you believe it. I think you’re wacko if you believe every rain, flood or snowfall is the result of it. Some people need to get a grip. Or visit Venice sometime.
December 2nd, 2008 at 8:14 am
It is not a global warming. Vanice is sinking and always was. Only before they were building new homes on the rubble of the old one that sank, and now everything is protected and has to stay the same. So that is that.
December 2nd, 2008 at 5:06 pm
At least the pigeons are gone
December 2nd, 2008 at 9:54 pm
hi I will be in Venice in 3 weeks time, Do you think flooding get better? or better to cancel??
December 3rd, 2008 at 10:36 pm
one of my friends sister pursues her masters from one of the college in Venice. she is one of those asked to evacuate.. David the site which u suggested has got equally great travel information as I did find in http://www.hoverspeed.com
December 5th, 2008 at 1:13 am
could anyone please tell me if the situation in Venish become any better?is it ok for me to visit Venice at 19 of December?