Colombia – Flash Floods Damage Dozens of Homes in Medellín

by in Americas, News

Raging flash floods swept through parts of the city of Medellín, capital of Antioquia Department in northwest Colombia, late on 30 November 2021.

Flood damage in Medellín, COlombia, December 2021. Photo: Alcaldía de Medellín

Videos shared on Social Media showed powerful flood water rushing through city streets. One man had a lucky escape after he held on to a signpost after being dragged away by the floods. He was later rescued by bystanders.

City officials in Medellín, said over 40 units of firefighters and other emergency teams responded to the flooding that occurred overnight 30 November to 01 December 2021. In total there were more than 450 calls for assistance.

After some initial damage assessments on 01 December, the city administration reported 4 houses were completely destroyed and a further 70 damaged in the floods. Around 300 people were affected. Further damage assessments were ongoing.

Flooding and severe weather affected other parts of the department during this time. One person was injured after flooding in El Santuario municipality, about 35 km east of Medellín, Colombia Civil Defence reported.

Colombia’s Institute of Hydrology, Meteorology and Environmental Studies (IDEAM) reports that the Cauca river in Venecia municipality was flowing well above red alert levels. At Bolombolo, about 40km south of Medellín, the Cauca river reached 6.9 meters on 01 December, well above red alert of 6 metres.

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