Historical Narrative

LA PLATA’S FLOOD OF 2013
The flood
In April 2, 2013, a heavy rainfall caused a severe flood that broke a record for April in La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina accumulating 190 mm, two times the usual amount of rainfall expected for the whole month, in a period of just 4 hours.
Why did it this happened?
It is thought that the main causes of the flood were due to the fact that the drainage system wasn’t working properly, there are immediate climate changes and the city is growing without an environmental conscience.  But there are other causes that could have helped the flood develop, such as the accumulation of rubbish on the drains and the deforestation in the North of Argentina.
Consequences
This lasted 1 day (from April 2 - 3), but it affected more than 19000 people, at least 70000 houses were invaded by the water and more than 500 millions of pesos were lost. It also took away with it what at first was thought of 54 lives, but this year, 2014, it was confirmed that the flood ate 89 bodies.
We asked different questions to people that had experienced the catastrophe: What did you do when you saw the water? ‘’The first thing I thought when I saw the water was to go and look for my children and see how we could save our lives so we didn't drowned. At that time I couldn't think of anything, I did everything I could. Then, you think about all the things you lost and it hurts, although we are lucky that we didn’t died DIE." says Natalia Rivero.
Have you lost your things? How do you feel about that? ‘’It was one of the most horrible things I have ever experienced. I saw how my house was swallowed by the water, even my pets. When I think about all the things that I lost and that if I had reacted some minutes sooner I could have saved everything, I feel stupid and empty inside, but then, I remember that I haven't lost my life. That would have been terrible for me and for my family. Luckily, I haven't lost any member of my family or any friends. Some people lost their whole family and are now alone, without a place to live. My sister is very lucky because the water didn't reach her neighborhood. I’m now living with her and her family. At least, I have a place to live.’’, Carlos Fernández shares his experience with us.
Solidarity
Millions of people from different parts of the country were moved by the victims of the catastrophe. Many of them donated clothes, food, and everything they could to make the recovery of their lives easier.
We asked a victim how she felt about this: "It was incredible, we were receiving help from millions of people. Words are not enough to say how I felt about the solidarity of the people we didn't even know. Also, it made me remember that we were not alone in the recovery," says victim Daniela Martínez about the help she received. The only good thing that brought the catastrophe was the solidarity of the country.
Let's pray for everyone who lost things, specially for the ones who lost their lives and their families. Let's hope this doesn't happen again.

View from a satellite of La Plata.

One of the affected streets.