People cross flooded St. Mark's Square in Venice, Italy, Thursday, Nov. 1, 2012. High tides have flooded Venice, leading Venetians and tourists to don high boots and use wooden walkways to cross St. Mark's Square and other areas under water. Flooding is common this time of year and Thursday's level that reached a peak of 55 inches (140 centimeters) was below the 63 inches (160 centimeters) recorded four years ago in the worst flooding in decades. (AP Photo/Luigi Costantini)
People cross flooded St. Mark's Square in Venice, Italy, Thursday, Nov. 1, 2012. High tides have flooded Venice, leading Venetians and tourists to don high boots and use wooden walkways to cross St. Mark's Square and other areas under water. Flooding is common this time of year and Thursday's level that reached a peak of 55 inches (140 centimeters) was below the 63 inches (160 centimeters) recorded four years ago in the worst flooding in decades. (AP Photo/Luigi Costantini)
Nearly three quarters of Venice was flooded on Nov. 12 and tourists swam in St Mark's Square as a wave of bad weather swept through northern and central Italy, forcing the evacuation of 200 people from their homes in Tuscany.