A blinding downpour triggered devastating flash flooding across MadeiraSaturday. Madeira is an island territory of Portugal, 600 miles southwest ofmainland Portugal.
People look at cars carried down a hillside byfloodwaters outside of Funchal, the Madeira Island's capital on Saturday, Feb.20, 2010 (AP Photo/Octavio Passos)
A cold front was responsible for the torrential rainfall. Temperatures havebeen warmer than normal across the Atlantic. As the cold front crossed thesewarm waters, abundant moisture was drawn into the system.The worst flooding was on the south side of the island. The capital of Funchal,located on the southern coast of the island, experienced extreme flooding.
Southerly winds accompanied the rain, which enhanced the rainfall on thesouth-facing slopes of the mountainous island.
The mountains just north of Funchal and the southern coast of Madeira rise tomore than 4,000 feet over just a few miles. The water gained so much momentum,it tore bridges and buildings apart as it raced through the center of Funchaland other urban areas on the south side of the islands.
The Associated Press reports the death toll has surpassed 40.
More rain is expected in the coming days. An active storm track will remain inplace across the island through the week, but rain of the magnitude witnessedover the weekend is not likely.
Story by Accuweather.com Senior Meteorologist Dave Samuhel.
