MNN - Mother Nature Network

Rising waters

ourists walk on footbridges on Nov. 11 as an 'Acqua Alta' floods the low-lying city of Venice, Italy. An 'Acqua Alta' is the term used to describe the exceptionally high water levels that periodically inundate Veneto cities and towns along the Adriatic Sea between autumn and spring.

 

Trashbag galoshes

A family wading through a flooded Venetian street wear trash bags around their legs to keep dry on Nov. 11 during an 'Acqua Alta' in Venice.

 

In some areas of Venice, the flood water has reached 5 feet — the 6th highest level since records began in 1872. This is the 4th time since 2000 that Venice has been submerged by record high flood water.

 

Tourist experience of a lifetime

Tourists reach the end of a footbridge near the Rialto bridge on Nov. 11 during an 'Acqua Alta' in Venice.

 

Watery vacation

A couple of soggy tourists put on their shoes while resting on the bridge of Sighs on Nov. 11 during an 'Acqua Alta' in Venice.