People walk across a footbridge

Photo: Marco Sabadin/AFP/Getty Images

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.

 

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A family walks through a flooded street

Photo: Marco Sabadin/AFP/Getty Images

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.

 

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People walk across a footbridge

Photo: Marco Sabadin/AFP/Getty Images

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.

 

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People put on their shoes after wading through floodwaters

Photo: Marco Sabadin/AFP/Getty Images

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.

 

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Catie Leary ( @catieleary ) writes about science, travel, animals and the arts.

Related topics: Big Snapshot, Severe Weather
Venice submerged by record-breaking 'Acqua Alta' flooding [Photos]
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