Venice 29 November – High tide in Venice is an expression quite in use even on TV news. It is the phenomenon of flooding that periodically happens on the Adriatic Sea and has its most visible effects on the Venetian Lagoon.
Sea level is determined by various factors: wind strength and direction, different atmospheric pressure and rain and the effects of all these factors influences the amount of water getting into the three main port gates of Venice: Lido, Malamocco and Chioggia. This means that when the tide is a metre over the average level, the parts of the city that are lower than a metre above the water level, such as Saint Mark’s Square are covered with water up to 20 centimetres. The phenomenon is typical of Autumn and doesn’t’ happen all year long and many parts of the city are not low.
In any case there are no reasons to worry, the Venetian Government warns its citizens and visitors to the City with sirens or electronic services such as SMS. This makes the population ready to face the event. Plastic boots and footbridges are used to move around the City when the tide is exceptionally high, however this rarely happens. Bulkheads are raised in front of doorsteps to prevent the water flooding houses and shops on the ground floor. So if you hear sirens be prepared for high water. It can’t be denied that the high tide is a discomfort and a problem for visitors toVenice. However, this is a Venetian peculiarity. And what an experience for tourists to walk aroundVenice wearing plastic boots! (Venice Tourism)