Since Sunday, we’ve spoken to three past or present wine producers, and are learning more about the extent of the damage and what caused it.
As we mentioned in the previous post, the weekend’s heavy rain was a continuation of unsettled weather. In fact, according to one producer, it has rained daily throughout the winter, so that the ground was saturated with water. Saturday morning’s rains fell heaviest along the south coast and in the mountains, and there was nowhere for it to go but down the rivers, three of which travel through Funchal. It was here (and in the town of Ribeira Brava) that the physical damage was most concentrated.
The rain began early Saturday morning and by that afternoon, the rivers in Funchal had exceeded their capacity and the water and debris began to overspread the surrounding streets and push through buildings. Cellars quickly filled with water, and there is great concern about potential loss of life in underground parking garages. There may also be a substantial amount of old wine stored both at ground level, and particularly in cellars, that was lost.
As of today, Monday, the official death toll is 42, but it’s sure to rise. Recovery efforts are being hampered by the vast amount of debris in some streets. Streets a quarter mile from the sea have been described to us as looking like a beach, thickly covered with sand and stones. And in the streets along Funchal’s rivers, large rocks have been deposited four to five feet deep.
As we have further information on this tragedy, we will provide it.
