page_title: Tropical Storm Bret (1993)
section_title: Venezuela
hierarchical_section_title: Tropical Storm Bret (1993) / Impact / Venezuela
context_page_description: Tropical Storm Bret was the deadliest natural disaster in Venezuela since the 1967 Caracas earthquake. The third tropical cyclone of 1993 Atlantic hurricane season, Bret formed on August 4 from a westward-moving, African tropical wave. Bret would later peak as a 60 mph tropical storm as it neared Trinidad. It took an extremely southerly course through the Caribbean, passing over the coasts of Venezuela and Colombia. High terrain in the northern parts of those countries severely disrupted the circulation of the storm, and Bret had weakened to a tropical depression before emerging over the extreme southwestern Caribbean Sea. There, it restrengthened to a tropical storm and made landfall in Nicaragua on August 10, dissipating soon after. Bret's remnants reached the Pacific Ocean, where they ultimately became Hurricane Greg.
  Though Bret was only a weak tropical storm, it caused extreme flooding and nearly 200 deaths as it moved through South America, mostly in Venezuela. The first tropical storm to strike the country in 100 years, Bret deluged northern regions with 13.35 in of rainfall.
context_section_description: Striking eastern Venezuela, Bret produced wind gusts of 44 mph (70 km/h) in Guiria, near where the storm moved ashore. Isla Margarita offshore reported wind gusts of 53 mph (85 km/h), as well as high waves 66 ft (20 m) in height. The capital city Caracas recorded wind gusts of around 31 to 37 mph (50 to 60 km/h); according to news reports, Bret was the first tropical storm to affect Caracas in 100 years. However, the storm's rainfall was more significant. Guanare in western Venezuela reported 13.35 in (339 mm) of rainfall in just 10 hours. Quebrada Seca in Barinas state recorded 11.23 in (285 mm) of rainfall over 24 hours, and in the capital Caracas, 4.72 in (120 mm) of rainfall occurred over just seven hours. The capital ultimately was affected by 10 hours of heavy rainfall. One station in the country recorded 5 in (130 mm) of precipitation in seven hours, setting a nationwide record for the 20th century for the heaviest rainfall over that duration.
  The heavy rainfall was the most destructive aspect of Tropical Storm Bret in Venezuela. On the offshore Isla Margaria, the rains flooded the primary hospital, and rivers overflowed, although damage was minimal. On the mainland, heavy rainfall caused damaging mudslides and flooding, and entire houses buried in the middle of the night with little notice. Flooded rivers washed away cars and homes in the hills of Caracas, mostly along the flooded La Guarre River. Floodwaters mixed with raw sewage from damaged water lines across the region. Residents returned to damaged homes despite warnings. Damage was worst in Petare, La Vega, and El Valle, all surrounding Caracas on insecure mountainsides. One home was wrecked in Petare, killing four family members. At least 19 people perished in Miranda state, and another three deaths were reported in Aragua due to landslides. Residents requested assistance from the local fire company, although disrupted telephone service created an atmosphere of confusion. Strong winds also destroyed the roofs of other houses, and areas were left without power. Portions of the Pan-American Highway and a coastal road were disrupted by landslides, and the state of Barinas was largely isolated due to road blockages. Most roads west of Caracas were likewise blocked.
  Overall, Tropical Storm Bret left over 11,000 people homeless, including 6,000 in Barinas state, and 3,500 in Caracas. Bret left US$25 million in damage and caused 173 deaths in the country, while at least 500 were injured. Most of the deceased were living in poorly built homes around Caracas, where at least 120 people were killed, mainly children. The storm was the deadliest natural disaster in Venezuela since the 1967 Caracas earthquake.
caption: Satellite image of Bret over Venezuela
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