1949 Eastern Guatemalan Floods

A range of factors played roles in the cause of the 1949 Eastern Guatemala floods, however the most prominent was a violent storm, originating from the 1949 Texas Hurricane, which was one of the last tropical cyclones of the years’ season. Since the introduction of reliable storm records in 1851, the hurricane is one of only eighteen to have developed in the Pacific Ocean and move into the Atlantic Ocean, or vice versa. Records show that some winds of the hurricane reached a peak of 177 km/h (110 mph), equivalent to high Category 2 intensity on the Saffir-Simpson scale. The storm moved ashore the Texas coast with a barometric pressure estimated at 965 millibars (28.5 inHg).[1] Modern day analysis attributes the origins of this hurricane to a tropical depression that developed in the Pacific Ocean, drifting northwestward until making landfall in Guatemala in late September.[6] A string of rainstorms, which were claimed to be the worst in Guatemala's history, occurred from the 28th of September until the 14th of October.[7] An excerpt from the New York Times provides greater understanding of the cause and effects of the flood.

“Seventy-two hours of torrential rains caused Lakes Atitlán and Amatitlán to spill over the towns surrounding them, while many rivers and mountain streams burst their banks.”[5]

The estimated number of people affected by the disaster varies widely amongst sources. At the time of the floods, the government placed this number at a maximum of 20,000[7] people, while news sources reported around 100,000[10] people being forced into homelessness. The death toll at the time of the event was estimated by the Government at around 1000 people, however, modern day analysis suggests that around 40,000 people were killed by the flooding. The American Ambassador in Guatemala, in a telegram to the U.S, outlined some of the ambiguity concerning the death toll at the time of the event.

"My impression based upon three-day intensive survey including long flight over affected areas, talks with President Arévalo, other government officials and representative businessmen, is that devastation and loss life result floods exaggerated by press (encouraged intentionally or unintentionally by government), that immediate relief needs well in hand, but that country suffered heavily economically and government confronted serious long-range financial problem respecting rehabilitation.”

A reported emergency period of 30–60 days immediately followed the disaster, directly affecting the 260,000[2] inhabitants of Guatemala at the time. Unlike many other great floods of the world, no widespread epidemics were reported.[7]

Apart from the direct deadly consequences of the floods, the disaster had a huge impact in many other spheres of life in Guatemala. It is estimated that the financial consequences of the floods ranged from $15,000,000[2] to $40,000,000.[5] A quote from the US ambassador in Guatemala detailed the long term financial effects of the floods;

“The chief problem confronting the Government, however, is long range financing, since foreign exchange holdings will be diminished and Government spending increased at a time when a budget deficit is in prospect”.[7]

Reports from the U.S embassy stated that flood water had covered miles of low roads, highways, and crop fields. Economically, one source reported that much of Guatemala's infrastructure had been destroyed in the disaster, and widespread damage had been caused to a number of cities.

“More than fifty bridges and 1,200 miles of highways were destroyed. Rivers changed their course. Some towns, such as San Juan Osculcalco, were reported destroyed by landslides".[5]

Another source detailed the devastation the flood had on one town in particular. The mudslides caused by the flooding in Tzununa stripped hillsides bare and covered much of the town with mud and rock, requiring much of the town's housing and residential centre to be relocated to higher, safer ground.[11] The towns of Escuintla, San Marcos, Quezaltenango, Jalapa, Santa Rosa, Jutiapa and Sacatepequez were also some of the worst affected by the flooding, many of which required extensive repairs and aid. Landslides and road blockages affected communications within the country, and also impacted distribution of foods and other resources. Apart from this, Guatemala also sustained agricultural damage to two of the countries chief crop exports, coffee and banana crops, which suffered losses of ten and twenty percent respectively. Many other crop losses, including corn, beans and rice were sustained, along with considerable losses in the livestock sector.[7]

As news of the floodings in Guatemala broke international headlines, Foreign governments pledged aid to the recovery of the country accordingly. The neighbouring countries of The United States and Cuba rushed to provide immediate aid by plane to victims of the disaster.[5] The Israel Government gifted $10,000 to Guatemalan Foreign Minister Ismal Gonzalez Arevalo, to be used for relief of flood victims in Guatemala.[12] The Guatemalan Government also requested an immediate grant of $2,000,000 from American Congress to begin implementing rescue and relief work and reported an immediate need for clothing, medicine, and other relief supplies.[2] The U.S embassy reported that relief supplies and a Red Cross expert had been flown from Panama, as well as an amphibian plane to rescue stranded American tourists. Medical supplies, food and water were also being distributed by the Guatemalan military and private planes to isolated villages and towns.

“Three planes left here early today to carry aid to the flood victims of Guatemala. The group of relief workers who carried first aid to the sufferers of the recent earthquake in Ecuador went along. One amphibian plane will attempt a landing on Lake Atitlán, in the Guatemalan mountains, to determine the possibility of evacuating the Indian inhabitants from villages on the lake shore”.[5]   

Guatemala's aid relationship with the US and other international organisations has been extensive in the past, and has helped to develop the countries economic and political environment. However, foreign aid is only effective under the assumption that the recipient government is willing and dedicated to the wellbeing of the citizens. An audit in 1984 revealed that ten out of ten aid projects in Guatemala suffered major delays, and did not fulfil their planned objectives.[13] Similarly, the motives behind US foreign aid are sometimes questioned, as to whether America's aid is simply an investment returning in furthering the countries interests and western ideologies.

• List of floods
• Meteorology