Water flooded St. Mark’s Square in Venice on Wednesday, the highest level yet for 2009, with 143 centimeters. The flooding has filled more than half of the historical city center with water. The phenomenon of high water, which floods the Venice lagoon, occurs mainly between autumn and spring when tides are reinforced by seasonal winds. But the heavy rain and snowfall which has been hitting most of Italy in the past few days contributed to a rise in the lagoon’s water level. Officials are warning the water could remain until after Christmas and that tourists should be certain to bring along a pair of Wellington boots.
