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3November1956
AN EVENT THAT SHAPED MADEIRA

The 1956 Machico flash flood

A cloudburst struck Machico, Porto da Cruz, Água de Pena, Santo da Serra and Santa Cruz, causing six deaths and widespread destruction.

LOCATIONMachico, Santa Cruz and the east coast

Floodwater destroyed roads, bridges, homes and farmland, isolating communities and delaying rescue. It remains one of Madeira's most serious twentieth-century flash floods and prompted relief efforts across the Region.

DOCUMENTARY SOURCES

Read the original record

01Direção Regional da CulturaOpen source ↗