Is Venice flooding getting worse? (2024)

FAQs

Is flooding in Venice getting worse? ›

Acqua alta usually happens in the winter, thanks to a combination of the tides, a strong south wind, and the periodic movement of sea waters. But it's been happening more often—and been getting worse—in recent decades, thanks to Venice's sensitivity to climate change.

Not only is Venice sinking but, according to research, it is also tilting slightly. This is due to a combination of the uniqueness of how Venice was built, its position, and rising sea levels. Venice is on the Adriatic plate, which subducts beneath the Apennines. This causes the city to slowly drop in elevation.

The system became operational in October 2020. Credit: Luca Zanon/Corbis via Getty Images. Now in its fourth year of operation, the Venice system of mobile barriers has proven very effective in safeguarding Venice from acqua alta, the high tides in the lagoon that used to periodically flood the city.

A question that is often asked is: How much is Venice actually sinking per year?, and according to research, the city sinks, on average, 1-2 millimeters per year!

It is difficult to predict an exact timeline for when Venice will be underwater, as the process of subsidence and sea level rise is gradual and affected by various factors. However, experts have suggested that if current trends continue, the city could be at risk of disappearing beneath the waves by as early as 2100.

After centuries of flooding, Venice has at long last raised seawalls to save itself from high water. They have already protected the city from catastrophic floods.

How long is this expected to last – and will it happen again this year? In the last few days, the situation has started improving. Over the weekend, water levels were edging towards normal, though they're set to decrease again later in the week. The good news is it's unlikely to return in 2023.

The dramatic surge of 4 November 1966 showed, unequivocally, the need for counteracting an increasing hazard level. The event reached the highest ever recorded water height (194 cm) and persisted over 110 cm for 22 h (see L2021; De Zolt et al., 2006; Cavaleri et al., 2010).

The acqua alta, as the seasonal flooding is known, is a natural phenomenon, which has always been a feature of Venetian life. Usually, tidal events have a very short duration.

Many climate experts suggest that Venice could sink by 2100. With many projects going on around and in Venice, these could potentially slow the progression of the water infiltrating this Italian city.

How deep is the water in Venice? ›

The depth of the water in Venice's canals varies by canal, whether dredging has been done to remove silt and sand in that particular canal, and the tide levels. Most canals are 5 to 6.5 feet deep, while the Grand Canal is deeper, at about 16.4 feet.

The UNESCO World Heritage Committee recommended Venice for the list of sites in danger, citing the negative impact of mass tourism, damage to the lagoon by large ships and oil tankers entering via the Malamocco canal, and climate change leading to more frequent high tides, as well as uncoordinated development.

Venice has always been at risk of flooding. But with climate change causing more damaging storms more often, what does the future hold for this historic city? On the night of 12 November 2019, Venice was hit by a tide of water over 1.8m high. At its peak, more than 80 per cent of the city was underwater.

Originally, it was thought that 5th century Venetians were forced to flee from the mainland because of conquerors and invaders. The idea was that building Venice on top of its lagoons provided protections that the original settlers sought after.

The Origins of Venice

Venice developed a creation myth that it was founded by people fleeing Troy, but it was probably formed in the sixth century C.E., when Italian refugees fleeing Lombard invaders camped on the islands in the Venice lagoon.

In 2024, the high tides in Venice already registered and the forecast for the rest of the year is of 54 'acqua alta' episodes. See below how many times high tide (not above 86 centimetre) already occurred and expected to happen.

Acqua alta typically occurs from October to March, however flooding can occur in between this period, too! The most common acqua alta events however, occur in the months of November, December and October (in that order).

Don't; Go in November

Some stores and restaurants may also close over this time too due to reduced tourist numbers. Venice's famous yearly floods also occur at this time of year. Ultimately, if you're one for good weather, stick to the mid-year summer.

What to do in Venice when in floods. For a few days each year, between the months of October and January, Venice's water levels rise and parts of the city flood. When acqua alta (“high water”) occurs, Saint Mark's Square, the lowest point in the city, briefly becomes one with the lagoon.