Hydrosphere Journal Entry
Hydrosphere Journal Entry
Deadly Floods Swamp Madeira (March 1, 2010)
Satellite view of the steep mountains surrounding the city of Funchal on the island of Madeira in the Atlantic Ocean. The city was swamped by floods and mudslides that crashed down from the mountains following heavy rains. NASA.
Several days of heavy rains triggered deadly floods and mudslides on the Portuguese island of Madeira in the Atlantic Ocean. The rains unleashed flash floods and torrents of mud that barreled down the mountains and crashed through parts of the capital Funchal. At least 42 people died and dozens of others are missing. Madeira, home to a quarter of a million people, is a popular tourist destination found 300 miles (500 kilometers) off the west coast of Africa. It's the main island of an archipelago, or island chain.
The storms were the worst to hit the island in nearly two decades. Raging waters destroyed bridges, uprooted trees, and tossed cars around like toys. The floods damaged much of the city's infrastructure, making fresh water scarce.
