I never understand the phenomena until I live there for 3 months and made some local Italian friends. One of my local Venetian friends is a geologist and he specialised in mineral study. He said to me, Venice is fighting for existence since the day the first church stone was erected in Torcello, which was kind of the oldest (by some measures) buildings in Venice. He taught me that Venice was founded as a lagoon. Not an island. The historical name of Venice is (forgive me if I pronounce or spell in wrongly), Laguna Veneta. Lagoon is not meant to stay. Lagoon is not the same with island. While island is land (sand or stone) that was elevated to a certain level. Lagoon means muddy and washable land sediment, and they not usually stay in place. Venice was built on top of a lagoon. In order to build the buildings, they have to use special technique to make sure the lagoon stays intact and not washed away. And I strolled in the so called Venice city hall or library, I was shown by my friends that the old Venetian Kingdom kept a record of their measurement of water levels and they basically regulates law to make sure the construction of buildings only enforce the lagoon. The wooden based technique can last indefinitely. And whoever does not follow the technique will be punished.

Reading some of the comments below are unbelievable! the "acqua alta" is a seasonal phenomenon it's just that this one is the worst in 22 years the city floods every 3 years if you walk round st marks square you will see the boards stacked up ready for use Venice has been sinking since the day it was built it's a beautiful city that is sinking which is a reminder of our mortality

Am I mistaken or is it that people are still shopping?🤔😯

flooded or not , VENICE IS INCREDIBLY , ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL ! GOD BLESS AND PROTECT AND SAVE ENCHANTING VENICE !

The city shown at 2.20 is Verona, not Venice

So sad, I just hope that people are safe and that the city may recover from it.😞

I recognize the guy with the bucket trying to clear out the water from his shop....we would get coffee and pastries every morning. How sad this is to see!!!

God bless Italy.

Im now in Venice, the condition here now is better

This is just terrible. Thank you for sharing this with us.

I was there 3 weeks ago and it was perfect, no rain no flooding but a bit cold. Beautiful Venice.

The worst flooding was 194 cm in 1966. It was more than 50 years ago, so it doesn't count.

Damn I was just there mid-october had perfect weather boy did I get lucky

Well, clearly, this would never be an “if,” it is always “it’s a matter of when.” New Orleans in USA, same situation. You live there, you roll the dice.

I'm so glad I visited Venice Italy when I I did in 2011. It was so beautiful. It's sad to see if this way.

Italian soldiers are some of the coolest and friendliest I have ever seen.

I have been in Venice multiple times even though the people are unfriendly, erratited with tourist I still love the City. I been in this city when it’s dry, and flooded, l still is magical

I can't believe this is the same beautiful city I got lost in in 2016. Its sad to see it like this. But I am glad I could see Venice when it was still beautiful☺☺

I couldn’t imagine living here lol I love how the people are so chill and like whatever. I’d probably slip and drown

The water must be so indredible dirty