Mose Barriers Save Venice from Devastating Acqua Alta

On November 22, 2022, Venice was spared from catastrophic flooding thanks to the Mose flood barrier system. At 9:40 AM, acqua alta reached 173 centimeters, but the barriers, activated at 2 AM, prevented inundation. At Punta della Dogana, only 62 centimeters of tide were recorded, and no flooding occurred elsewhere. Without Mose, the city would have been submerged, as forecasts predicted a peak of 170 centimeters. The system, consisting of mobile dams at the lagoon inlets, was first used in 2020. It was temporarily lowered at the Chioggia inlet for two hours to allow accumulated water to drain, then reactivated until 6 AM on November 23 to prevent further high tides (forecast 145 centimeters). The intervention recalled the devastating flood of November 12, 2019, when tide reached 187 centimeters, flooding St. Mark's Square, the Basilica (with 110 centimeters of water), the Church of San Moisé, Teatro La Fenice, and the Querini Stampalia Foundation. Commissioner Elisabetta Spitz called it a successful test. Infrastructure Minister Matteo Salvini noted it was the highest tide in 50 years and praised the barriers despite opposition. Mayor Luigi Brugnaro and Veneto President Luca Zaia also commended the system. Additional protective glass barriers were installed at St. Mark's Basilica, keeping its floors dry. The combination of Mose and local barriers prevented damage like that of 2019.