FLORENCE, Italy — This week, nature decided to play a little game of 'peek-a-boo' with the Italian infrastructure, as torrential rains caused devastating floods throughout the northern regions. With roads submerged, homes damaged, and the population in a state of utter shock, it seems that Mama Nature has a new favorite pastime: turning a seemingly tranquil European country into a dystopian Waterworld. Locals are considering renaming some of the most popular landmarks to better reflect the current state of affairs. The awe-inspiring Florence Cathedral could be renamed "Noah's Wet Dream," and the quaint and cozy alleys of Venice might soon be called "Titanic Walks." Tour operators are already seeing the bright side of the calamity, brainstorming ways to cater to the uniquely adventurous travelers who wish to explore the submerged wonders of their once-impassable city. Gondolas could be utilized for "the best underwater experience since the Titanic." Visitors will not only be able to recreate scenes from the iconic 1997 movie, but also enjoy a touch of Venice in the process. Residents have had mixed reactions to the floods. Some have embraced their new aquatic life by exchanging Vespas for inflatable swimming rings. One Florence resident commented, "We always dreamed of traveling to Venice for a gondola-filled honeymoon. It looks like Venice decided to come to us first. How romantic!" On the flip side, a Tuscan winemaker lamented, "This is the end of Chianti as we know it. All we have saved from our cellars are swimming goggles and snorkels. The rest has fermented into a taste that can only be defined as 'Eau de Catastrophe.'" Environmentalists are blaming mankind as a whole for this aquatic conundrum. Recent studies have shown that it takes a global village to raise the sea levels, and it seems a combination of climate change, typical Italian disorganization, and Mama Nature's twisted sense of humor have delivered a knock-out punch to the Italian peninsula. In response to these cataclysmic events, the Italian government has acted in its customary decisive and coherent manner. After endless deliberation, they have devised a plan for relief and reconstruction. Boldly named "Operation Fish Out of Water," this innovative strategy has already hit bureaucratic roadblocks. The primary point of contention between officials is the deployment of underwater traffic cops to prevent countless maritime collisions between gondolas and submerged Fiats. World-renowned artists have taken notice and expressed interest in documenting this rare moment in history. Banksy is rumored to have started planning a massive artistic project that will surely flood the internet with his latest thought-provoking submerged murals. So, as the rivers continue to rise and their murky depths swallow Italian cities like an insatiable gorgon, the world waits with bated breath to see what new surprises Mama Nature has in store for all of us. For now, at least, the only words on the lips of every Italian and worldwide spectator are simple but profound: "Mamma Mia!"