There was a break in the clouds and the sun shone on a series of waterfalls across the terraces. The power of the water was extraordinary. It damaged terraces and destroyed tracks and spread landslides over the roads. In this location we had 220mm of rainfall in 8 hours. Last year we measured 250mm over the whole year.
This water flowed over an area which has been terraced for many years and where running water is not usually seen at all.
The revitalised rambla joined with many others en route to the sea and created a flash flood. A wall of water hit the houses built beside the Rio Antas. It became polluted by sewage and caused an enormous amount of damage and sadly some loss of life too.
Perhaps a tree planting programme would help to retain soil and water in the mountains and slow the progress of flood water, reducing the risk of flash flooding closer to the coast. Usually it is very hard to root new trees in the hard dry ground without irrigation but this year it may just be possible .......
Does anyone know of a source of young native trees?