Writing The National
The intense rains recorded on the afternoon of November 9 in the municipalities Iribarren and Palavecino of Lara state caused rivers to overflow, flooded homes and made vehicle traffic difficult on different streets.
The force of the current dragged vehicles in the direction Barquisimeto-Cabudare along Intercomunal Avenue, one of the most affected by the rains. Electric shocks and strong gusts of wind were also recorded.
The flooding of the Tabure stream, located in the Valle Hondo sector of Cabudare, flooded numerous homes and businesses.
#9Nov #Lara #Rains
The intense rains of this #9Nov have caused serious damage in the Palavecino municipality, where the Tabure stream overflowed.The large amount of water and sediment affected El Placer Avenue, Valle Hondo and El Palmar urbanization, a situation that… pic.twitter.com/9b8zqcQf6P
— Report Now (@ReporteYa) November 9, 2024
Havoc due to previous rains
The heavy rains on November 8 also caused the Morere and Tocuyo rivers to overflow in the Torres municipality. The town of Río Tocuyo was flooded and the inhabitants were without electricity. At least one home suffered structural damage.
In the Las Mercedes de Carora sector, a man identified as José Andrés Linares, 33 years oldwas swept away by the current of the San Francisco ravine while trying to cross by motorcycle during the night.
Witnesses witnessed the incident and believed that Linares had died. However, then they heard his screams and He was rescued by police and firefighterswho transferred him to Pastor Oropeza hospital from Barquisimeto, according to local media.
The Urdaneta municipality also suffered serious flooding due to the overflowing of the Baragua and Tocuyo rivers, mainly affecting the Siquisique sector.
#Rains #overflows #flooding #Lara
**Interview with Local Resident and Community Leader, Maria Gonzalez, on the Recent Flooding in Lara State**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us, Maria. Can you describe what it was like in Iribarren and Palavecino on the afternoon of November 9?
**Maria Gonzalez:** Thank you for having me. The rain started suddenly, and within a short time, it became intense. We saw rivers overflowing, and the water level rose quickly. It was frightening to watch as many homes, particularly in the Valle Hondo sector, were flooded. I received calls from neighbors who were trapped inside their houses.
**Interviewer:** That sounds terrifying. Did you witness any vehicles being swept away by the floodwaters?
**Maria Gonzalez:** Yes, I did. Along Intercomunal Avenue, the current was so strong that it dragged some vehicles away. Many drivers were caught off guard and had to abandon their cars. The situation made traffic almost impossible, creating chaos in our area.
**Interviewer:** Apart from the flooding, were there any other impacts from the storm?
**Maria Gonzalez:** Absolutely. We also experienced strong gusts of wind, which knocked down trees and caused electrical issues. There were reports of electric shocks as well, which added to the danger of the situation. It wasn’t just the flooding; the storm brought with it a range of hazards.
**Interviewer:** How has the community been responding to these events?
**Maria Gonzalez:** The community has come together remarkably. Neighbors are helping each other clear out homes, and local organizations are coordinating efforts to provide aid. Many people have opened their doors to those who lost their homes or had to evacuate due to the floodwaters.
**Interviewer:** That’s heartening to hear. What do you think is needed moving forward to help your community recover?
**Maria Gonzalez:** We need immediate assistance for those affected—food, clean water, and medical supplies. Longer-term, it’s essential for local authorities to invest in better drainage systems to prevent future flooding. Community resilience is important, but we can’t do it alone; we need support from the government as well.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Maria, for sharing your experience and insights. We hope for a swift recovery for your community.
**Maria Gonzalez:** Thank you for covering this story. It’s vital for others to understand what we’re going through.
