We plan to be in Venice next May.

Should we plan to bring boots for the possibility of flooding in St. Marks square during that time?

I guess the real question is: Is flooding in Venice more prevalent during some time more so than other?

Thank you in advance to anyone who responds!

aqua alta tends to occur in dec, give or take a month. usually covers about 5% or less of venice. st marks square is quite low, so if a flood that area usually goes under.

Floods occurs most often Fall and Spring, w/November traditionally being the worst month. However, it could easily flood in May as the combination of rain + high tides + wind = aqua alta. San Marco is among the lowest lying areas of the city - so it gets the most flooding. If you are out walking around/sightseeing and you hear air raid sirens, that means that major flooding will occur in about 3 - 4 hours.

Should you bring boots: really a personal call. Its a tidal flood, the water goes up, the water goes down. If the flooding is so great as to require boots and they set up the passerelle (elevated walkways) then the sights in the Area Marciana will be closed anyway.

bdemaria is very knowledgeable - and her statement pretty much sums up our stay in Venice earlier this year. The sirens will tell you , and you can get some local knowledge and plan your day / evenings accordingly. Given we prefer the freedom of travel with only carryons (if we don't check it in, they can't lose it,) taking rubber boots seems a bit unnecessary to my way of thinking.

(I'd not try to do a wander on the passerelle if I had a lot to drink; they're handy but have no guardrails or the like and if it's crowded, well...)

I agree that carrying boots is not necessary. However, I would be sure to bring at least one pair of closed toe shoes, and for a woman - probably best to be sure the have at least one pair of closed toe flats.

To all for the info!

I didn't realize that there is a warning system that would allow for changing plans and not get "trapped" by the water.

Less likey than in the fall, but if it happens you can buy orange rubber plastic ones good for two or three uses that work fine. They also sell "Wellington" boots for twice as much. Not necessary unless you'll be there for a long time, then they're worth it. For the orange booties, you'll pay twice as much for them at Piazza San Marco. They're not sold all over there, but be careful about getting gouged. I'm not exactly sure when you are going, but if you google aqua alta Venice, they give you a ten day aqua alta forecast, and you can go by that. Also, the boots have to go to just below your knees, so you really can't pack such large boots. Finally, sometimes much of the city is flooded, but its mainly Piazza San Marco. If it is flooded, consider yourself lucky, walk on the passarelle that they set up (end to end picnic table like things) and you'll love it. If despite your best efforts you get caught in it, go somewhere and have a glass of wine or two. It's over in two hours or so, and the stores stay open. Aqua alta during a trip to Venice is a treat, and you're lucky to experience it. Just don't forget, that water is very dirty so don't wade in it.

go this web site:

http://www.comune.venezia.it/flex/cm.../IDPagina/1748

it is the web site of the venice municipality aobut floods; there's also a data store of the last years floods

p.s it's also in english....

interactive flood map

http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/20...nice-animation