1. Debris-flow and flooding hazards associated with the December 1999 storm in coastal Venezuela Geologic Hazards Team

2. n 30,000 people dead n 126,000 homes damaged n Utilities disabled n $1.79 Billion “The town doesn’t exist anymore” - Gabriela Gonzales, 22 "We dig where the stench is strongest." - Alfredo Calles "It's all just mud. My son is sleeping on mud."

3. Eye Witness Timeline: n December 15, 1999 F 8pm F shortly after 8:30 F throughout the night n December 16, 1999 F 2-3am F 5-7am F 8-9am F Late afternoon the landslide had sounded like the "incessant noise of an aeroplane" “not being able to clearly see what was happening through the continuous downpour” "We turned round and saw a wave of mud coming towards us," - Doris

6. Storm of December, 1999

8. Geology

9. Geologic Formations n Coast = Tacaqua Formation epidote schist n Inland = San Julian Formation quartz, plagioclase, mica gneiss, and feldspar schist n Mountains - Pena de Mora Formation augen gneiss

10. Measurements and Observations

12. Landslides

13. “sliding” n slope angles from 30 º to > 60º n frictional resistance n internal cohesion n soil suction n soil structure n contribution of root strength

14. Particle size distribution

16. Average Velocity

17. Maximum Boulder Size

20. Caraballeda Fan

21. Figure 16

22. Mitigation Options n Physical structures F channel modifications F check dams F debris basins n Non-structural Measures F regulating development F monitoring F public education

24. Figure 4

25. Figure 5

26. Figure 6

27. “Cuando hay verdadero amor y verdadera union, la crisis se supera mas f’acilmente” (When there is true love and true union, the crisis can be overcome more easily)