Flash Flood Strikes Vargas, Venezuela in 1999

Today in Latin American history, torrential rains caused flash floods in Vargas, Venezuela, resulting in tens of thousands of deaths, the destruction of thousands of homes, and the complete collapse of the state’s infrastructure in 1999.

Vargas was hit with 3 feet of rain during a 52 hour period, the intense storm triggered soil instability and flow of debris.

Authorities report as much as 10% of Vargas’s population died during the tragedy.

Other events that occurred on this day:

Today in LatAm history, Brazilian theologian Leonardo Boff who is also an activist for the rights of the poor and excluded was born in 1938

Today in LatAm history, current President of Brazil Dilma Rousseff was born in 1947

Today in LatAm history, Cuba and Venezuela founded the Bolivarian Alliance for the Americasin 2004