Tourists and Venetians alike donned high boots and took to strategically placed raised walkways on Tuesday to slosh through the high water that has hit much of the lagoon city. Venice's tide forecast office said the water level peaked at 1.27 meters (about 4 feet 3 inches) Tuesday morning but warned that an even higher tide was forecast for after nightfall.

The high water invaded cafes, stores and other businesses. Sirens warned people in Venice of the rising water, and as a precaution, authorities closed nursery schools. A top tourist attraction, the Ducal Palace, just off St. Mark's Square, tweeted that it's "open today, despite the exceptional tide," and advised visitors to use the raised walkways leading to its entrance.