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mayor of Ponce's press officer. Additionally, the number of destroyed houses was overestimated, only to be revised downward owing to before-and-after satellite images and interviews with survivors. After the
Mameyes landslide, about 150 people, including National Guardsmen, worked to locate bodies with the assistance of six rescue dogs. Rescue workers also recovered 23 bodies from the collapsed bridge near Coamo. On October 13, officials halted the search for any survivors of the landslide, although workers continued to look for storm victims. On October 22, Governor Colón ordered the teams to stop searching for bodies after officials determined that there was a threat of further landslides. Workers initially had difficulty assisting the affected families due to the occurrence in early morning and the continued intensity of the rain, and as a result, only 50 bodies were recovered. Many houses around the Mameyes landslide were later demolished as they were at risk for further landslides.
228:. At least six cars drove into an unlit 35 ft (11 m) gap in the road, killing 29 people. Four of the deaths were police officers who were trying to rescue a family from a car that was washed away. At least six bridges were washed out across the island. The floods left about 32,000 people without power, and some towns were isolated. The floods shut down 11 water filtration plants and 13 sewage treatment plants, which left 16 municipalities temporarily without water. Across Puerto Rico, the floods damaged 1,700 houses and destroyed another 1,300. About 50,000 people had to leave their houses for shelter across Puerto Rico. Damage was estimated at $ 125 million (1985 USD), and throughout the territory, the floods killed 180 people, 150 of whom lived in Ponce. Officials considered the system to be the "worst disaster" on the island since
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school were asked by their teacher to draw "whatever came to their minds". Several of them made drawings that some people see as premonitions of the disaster. Several of the drawings featured crosses, and dark earth-like colors. Some of the children died in the landslide. The drawings were handed by
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Governor Hernández Colón announced that a memorial would be created for the
Mameyes victims at the site. Originally the memorial was known as "el Parque de la Recordación del Barrio Mameyes", literally "Park of the Remembrance of the Neighborhood Mameyes" in English. In 2011, however, residents of
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to prevent the spread of disease outbreak. As a result, the
National Guard evacuated the town, although the governor changed his mind after public outcry. Initially, a death toll of 500 people was reported, although that was "the product of the original, collective hysteria," according to the
103:. Two stations broke their 24-hour rainfall records set in 1899. The rains caused severe flooding in the southern half of Puerto Rico, which isolated towns, washed out roads, and caused rivers to exceed their banks. In addition to the deadly landslide in Mameyes, the floods washed out a bridge in
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flew helicopters into flooded areas to rescue stranded residents, including 18 people along a hill in the western portion of the island. About $ 10 million in emergency funds was allocated by Puerto Rico's legislature, of which $ 1 million was distributed among the most affected
267:
detached from a hill, moving about 250,000 cu yd (190,000 m) of material down the hill. The intense rainfall triggered the landslide, although pre-existing conditions such as a leaking water main and poor sewage flow likely contributed to the event. The landslide destroyed about
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deployed a team of 15 people to Puerto Rico, who specialized in damage assessment, health services, or other services. After the storm, the Puerto Rico's government created a
Rainfall-Runoff Alert Network, designed to predict flash flooding in advance, in conjunction with the
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90 houses, killing about 130 people; however, the death toll could have been as high as 300. This made it the deadliest single landslide on record in North
America. Many of the homes in Mameyes were poorly built with tin and wood materials, and some were built on stilts.
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On
October 10, United States president Ronald Reagan declared 33 municipalities across Puerto Rico as disaster area. This allocated federal funding for assistance to individual families and public aid to repair public facilities.
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reported very high rainfall totals in a short amount of time, including 2.75 in (70 mm) in one hour and 5.5 in (140 mm) in two hours. The highest rainfall total on Puerto Rico was 31.67 in (804 mm) in
147:
The most intense rainfall occurred on
October 6, and on that day two stations recorded 24-hour precipitation totals exceeding 23 in (580 mm). These totals broke the 24-hour rainfall records set during the
209:, just five months after similar floods affected the island. The floods in May generally affected the northern portion of the island, and the October event generally affected southern Puerto Rico, although the town of
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while it moved across Puerto Rico. When the system's rainbands reached the mountains of southern Puerto Rico, it produced torrential rainfall, and additional precipitation occurred owing to the system's slow movement.
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that emerged off the coast of Africa on
September 29. The system moved into the Caribbean Sea on October 5 and produced heavy rains across Puerto Rico, peaking at 31.67 in (804 mm) in
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that killed several people. The storm system caused about $ 125 million in damage and 180 deaths, which prompted a presidential disaster declaration. The tropical wave later spawned
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161:. Rainfall spread across the island, and the southern half of Puerto Rico experienced totals of over 10 in (250 mm). Rainfall totals over 7 in (180 mm) spread across the
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ultimately provided $ 63 million in aid to the territory. Puerto Ricans living in the United States raised money and collected donations for the residents on the island.
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an unidentified teacher to Gladys Torres, administrator of public documents and
Director of the Historic Archive of Ponce. They are exhibited in the Ponce Museum of History.
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Para Re-denominar el Parque de la
Recordación del Barrio Mameyes con el Nombre de "Memorial de la Recordación del Barrio Mameyes"; y Para Otros Fines
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on October 7, a day before the rains subsided in Puerto Rico. The storm ultimately struck Florida before dissipating on October 15.
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Across Puerto Rico, heavy rains from the weather system caused river flooding and landslides. The rains most significantly affected the
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to assist in search and rescue operations. Governor Colón sought "technical advice" from Mexico, as the country had experienced a
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Saturated soils caused mudslides throughout Puerto Rico, although only one resulted in loss of life. In the hillside community of
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that caused the flooding moved off the west coast of Africa on September 29. Moving westward, the system entered the eastern
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A flooded creek in Quebrada del Agua, near Ponce, killed 16 people. Flooding washed away the westbound bridge over the
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You may listen to Memorial Acts associated with the observance of the 30th Anniversary (Year 2015) of the tragedy
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on October 5, although rainfall began spreading across Puerto Rico the day prior. The wave's associated
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on record in North America, that killed at least 130 people in the Mameyes neighborhood of barrio
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Two landslides occurred near Peñuelas, collectively damaging or destroying 13 buildings.
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8:
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Evaluation of Landslide Hazards Resulting from the 5–8 October 1985 Storm in Puerto Rico
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reservoir filled to its capacity for the second time since it was constructed in 1972.
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Ponce successfully petitioned to change the name from a park to a memorial site.
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experienced floods in both events. Several rivers exceeded their banks, and the
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produced showers and thunderstorms across the island and the deadliest single
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897:"Puerto Rico asks for help from U.S. to cope with island's 'worst tragedy'"
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Three days before the Mameyes landslide, a group of children from a nearby
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466:(10). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. October 1985: 30
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floods, the name, "Isabel" was not retired, but was retired in the
1154:"Dibujos de niños revelan "premonición" sobre tragedia en Mameyes"
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The Floods of May 17–18, 1985 and October 6–7, 1985 in Puerto Rico
341:
Governor Colón considered turning the Mameyes neighborhood into a
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declared an islandwide state of emergency and activated 300
1053:"Landslide in Puerto Rico killed less than originally thought"
722:. Associated Press and United Press International. 1985-10-08
801:"Isabel born east of Bahamas; rains kill 60 in Puerto Rico"
776:"Emergency Management Planning: Hurricanes/Tropical Storms"
243:
306:, and the territory's Department of Natural Resources.
33:
Satellite image of the tropical system near Puerto Rico
950:
A Hydrologic Excursion to Puerto Rico's Southern Plain
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94:. The floods were the result of a westward-moving
869:Significant Landslide Events in the United States
827:
663:"Tropical Storm Isabel – October 4–16, 1985"
1177:
589:
532:
1078:"'Search for life' ends in shantytown mudslide"
633:Ferdinand Quiñones and Karl G. Johnson (1987).
594:. University of the West Indies. Archived from
508:(Report). National Hurricane Center. 2012-03-30
974:Puerto Rico Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides
894:
716:"Mudslides, floods kill dozens in Puerto Rico"
691:"Dogs search for bodies near collapsed bridge"
557:
660:
1127:Gobierno Municipal Autónomo de Ponc (2011).
1211:1985 natural disasters in the United States
1001:
947:
924:"Aid rushed to Puerto Rico flood survivors"
852:: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (
778:. East Carolina University. Archived from
748:"150 Feared Dead in Puerto Rico Mud Slide"
276:On October 7, Puerto Rico's governor
27:
16:Flood event that took place in Puerto Rico
955:(Report). United States Geological Survey
874:(Report). United States Geological Survey
867:Lynn M. Highland and Robert L. Schuster.
835:(Report). United States Geological Survey
685:
683:
681:
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640:(Report). United States Geological Survey
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1221:October 1985 events in the United States
1004:"Puerto Ricans collect aid for homeland"
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535:Tropical Storm Isabel Preliminary Report
242:
118:
1152:Ruiz Kuilan, Gloria (October 7, 2015).
665:. Hydrometeorological Prediction Center
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560:"Isabel on her last gasp in Georgia"
165:. The tropical wave later spawned a
1028:"Disaster declared for Puerto Rico"
978:Federal Emergency Management Agency
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828:Randal1 W. Jibson (November 1985).
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540:(Report). National Hurricane Center
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312:Federal Emergency Management Agency
263:on October 7. A large slab of
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353:Despite the high amount deaths in
141:developing into a tropical cyclone
123:Rainfall totals across Puerto Rico
14:
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1191:1980s floods in the United States
948:R.A. Renken; et al. (1990).
247:Image of the landslide in Mameyes
238:
1196:Natural disasters in Puerto Rico
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293:families with $ 300 checks. The
1206:Landslides in the United States
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590:Nicholas DeGraff (1999-07-24).
533:Robert C. Sheets (1985-11-14).
304:United States Geological Survey
1084:. Associated Press. 1985-10-14
1059:. Associated Press. 1985-10-18
1034:. Associated Press. 1985-10-11
930:. Associated Press. 1985-10-10
697:. Associated Press. 1985-10-14
551:
498:
409:
402:All damage totals are in 1985
396:
359:2003 Atlantic hurricane season
68:$ 125 million (1985
1:
895:Luis R. Varela (1985-10-09).
558:Verne Williams (1985-10-11).
430:
384:2015 El Cambray Dos landslide
980:. 2004-11-29. Archived from
661:David M. Roth (2007-06-27).
271:
255:, within Ponce, there was a
205:. Several stations reported
163:United States Virgin Islands
7:
592:"Landslides in Puerto Rico"
377:
10:
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1002:Luisa Yanez (1985-10-10).
150:1899 San Ciriaco hurricane
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290:United States Coast Guard
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300:National Weather Service
224:near Santa Isabel along
901:The Evening Independent
259:at around 3:00 am
159:Toro Negro State Forest
101:Toro Negro State Forest
80:1985 Puerto Rico floods
486:Cite journal requires
286:devastating earthquake
278:Rafael Hernández Colón
248:
226:San Juan–Ponce highway
124:
115:Meteorological history
22:1985 Puerto Rico flood
1134:(Report) (in Spanish)
1032:The Milwaukee Journal
782:on September 10, 2006
720:The Milwaukee Journal
506:Glossary of NHC Terms
419:that moves along the
415:A tropical wave is a
404:United States dollars
288:two weeks prior. The
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175:Tropical Storm Isabel
122:
109:Tropical Storm Isabel
1057:The Spokesman-Review
1201:1985 in Puerto Rico
1103:"Mudslide Memorial"
365:Children's drawings
23:
1216:Landslides in 1985
695:St. Joseph Gazette
295:American Red Cross
282:National Guardsmen
249:
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752:Los Angeles Times
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207:100 year flooding
167:low pressure area
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1186:1985 meteorology
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1163:. Retrieved
1159:El Nuevo Día
1157:
1147:
1136:. Retrieved
1122:
1111:. Retrieved
1109:. 1985-10-22
1106:
1097:
1086:. Retrieved
1081:
1072:
1061:. Retrieved
1056:
1047:
1036:. Retrieved
1031:
1022:
1011:. Retrieved
1007:
997:
986:. Retrieved
982:the original
968:
957:. Retrieved
943:
932:. Retrieved
927:
904:. Retrieved
900:
876:. Retrieved
862:
837:. Retrieved
809:. Retrieved
807:. 1985-10-08
804:
795:
784:. Retrieved
780:the original
756:. Retrieved
754:. 1985-10-08
751:
724:. Retrieved
719:
710:
699:. Retrieved
694:
667:. Retrieved
642:. Retrieved
600:. Retrieved
596:the original
567:. Retrieved
563:
553:
542:. Retrieved
510:. Retrieved
500:
479:cite journal
468:. Retrieved
463:
457:"Storm Data"
411:
398:
368:
352:
348:
343:common grave
340:
332:
308:
275:
250:
234:
219:
199:Santa Isabel
184:
173:that became
146:
126:
105:Santa Isabel
79:
77:
42:October 1985
18:
1165:October 11,
848:cite report
421:trade winds
355:Puerto Rico
257:block slide
211:Barceloneta
51:Puerto Rico
1180:Categories
1138:2012-05-08
1113:2012-05-08
1088:2012-05-08
1063:2012-05-08
1038:2012-05-07
1013:2012-05-07
988:2012-05-01
976:(Report).
959:2012-05-08
934:2012-05-07
906:2012-05-06
878:2012-05-02
839:2012-05-08
811:2012-05-06
786:2012-05-08
758:2012-05-06
726:2012-05-06
701:2012-05-08
669:2012-05-01
644:2012-05-03
602:2012-05-02
569:2012-05-08
544:2012-05-01
512:2012-05-01
470:2012-05-01
431:References
371:Head Start
261:local time
195:Juana Díaz
171:Hispaniola
137:convection
272:Aftermath
265:sandstone
232:in 1960.
222:Río Coamo
169:north of
84:landslide
378:See also
215:Toa Vaca
154:Peñuelas
47:Location
253:Mameyes
417:trough
302:, the
201:, and
181:Impact
57:Deaths
1132:(PDF)
953:(PDF)
872:(PDF)
833:(PDF)
638:(PDF)
538:(GIF)
460:(PDF)
390:Notes
203:Coamo
191:Ponce
92:Ponce
1167:2015
854:link
492:help
333:HERE
127:The
78:The
39:Date
189:of
90:in
70:USD
60:180
1182::
1156:.
1105:.
1080:.
1055:.
1030:.
1006:.
926:.
915:^
899:.
887:^
850:}}
846:{{
820:^
803:.
767:^
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735:^
718:.
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