surfmom

How much will aqua alta affect us ? What is the best way to prepare ?

We will be there in late November - there is a new moon on our first day there. I know aqua alta is more common during a new or full moon.

Will anything be closed ? Will we not be able to do anything or does life just go on with a few inconveniences ?

We are traveling with kids - so standard rain boots will not work. I'd rather not carry around rain boots throughout the first part of Italy since this will be our last stop. I'd be happy to get something inexpensive and just donate them to the cause there, but we try to travel light and and extra 5 pair of rain boots will fill an entire bag.

Any suggestions ? I'd love to ship them ahead, but I think that would be cost prohibitive. Or should I carry them and that way ensure that aqua alta doesn't happen ? { type of insurance policy so to speak ... : ) }

Weekender

I was there last Thanksgiving and, yes, there some days with acqua alta conditions. Just adds to the fun as you just slog around. Don't worry about the boots as you can buy them all over and they are not expensive. My hotel had loads of boots for the guests.

TDudette

When we experienced it (in March), the water level rose slowly enough that we had plenty of time to take Vap back to our hotel (which was not affected). It was evening so I can't answer your question about things being closed.

Also, in addition to easily obtained boots, makeshift board walks are put up.

Am I correct in saying that the water is usually higher in the St. Mark's area than the train station area?

suec1

The aqua alta comes up and goes down - some places in the city are more affected than others and as another poster mentioned, they put out these platforms on the major tourist walkways. St. Mark's square and even into the cathedral are a major area affected. Its a pretty unique experience. Many hotels do have boots - also I took plastic bags and rubber bands for some "do it yourself" easy to carry "boots" - we did not need them so I cannot say how well this may have worked.

ellenem

Since acqua alta is tidal, it recedes after a few hours except in the most extreme situations.

Check expected water levels here:
http://www.comune.venezia.it/flex/cm.../IDPagina/1748

With this fun interactive map, you can set the levels for the expected flooding and then see if your hotel and other areas of interest will be affected.

http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/20...nice-animation

AnselmAdorne

surfmom, I was in Venice last Christmas. There was high water on two of the days we were there.

Yes, there are boardwalks, but we had to step off the boardwalk and wade up two streets to get to our apartment. The water reached within an inch of the top of our boots.

We bought rubber boots in Bologna and used them while we were in Venice. Here's a photo of my daughter on Christmas Day:

http://anselmadorne.zenfolio.com/p92...b4087#h44b4087

You can also buy these in many stores. I think they are an inexpensive alternative:

http://anselmadorne.zenfolio.com/p92...4b4087#h9bb988

Feel free to browse the other photos in the Italy gallery. There are some moody ones of Venice towards the end:

http://anselmadorne.zenfolio.com/p923779890

The only other thing that I might mention about the flooding was that the elevator in our apartment was disabled, apparently due to high water. (We stepped into about six inches of water when we entered the street-level lobby of our building.)

Enjoy your trip.

Ernie

kappa1

My acqua alta in December 2005.

http://s23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...20Acqa%20Alta/

The worst I have had among my multiple visits to Venice, yet what an experience, I am almost tempted to say the best Venice I had ever (I know people the locals and the tourists are seriously inconvenienced). It started early morning when I was sill in my bed and ended complelety by 13h00 as often is the case with acqua alta. You hear a siren early in the morning when it is a serious one. But remember it's not all over Venice the same. The worst/deepest is Piazza San Marco as it is the lowest part of Venice. It starts there and ends there, I guess. Further you go from San Marco, usually water gets shallower.

kappa1

TDuette, you are correct, I think. I have experienced different levels of acqua alta. Many of my visits have been in the seasons of the flooding. In Dec 2005 above, I was staying in Cannaregio where the water only a few cm to 20 max. I headed for San Marco (with the plasticl high overshoes on that I bought at a shop near my hotel as soon as I went out) and the water got higher and higher. In San Marco, it got almost 100cm so the overshoes was useless unless you walk on the elevated walkway. Even those walk were underwater at many areas. San Marco complteley underwater, what a sight it was. And yet, I went back to San Marco at night the same day and it was business as usual although some parts of the Piazza were still wet.