As in previous years, heavy rainfall over the past few days has flooded the Paul da Serra plateau, Madeira’s largest and most extensive plateau, leaving only the main road passable.
Such incidents are not uncommon and have been reported in past years, often making local headlines.
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It is a surprising sight to see a high-altitude plateau like Santo da Serra (about 700 meters above sea level) turn into a lake. While you would expect the water to simply run off the sides of the mountain, several factors create a "bowl effect" that traps the water.
The flooding happens because of the unique shape of the land and how the local infrastructure reacts to heavy rain.
The "Bowl" Shape of the Land
Unlike the sharp, jagged peaks you see in the center of Madeira, Santo da Serra is a broad, relatively flat area.
Depressions: The plateau isn't perfectly flat, it has natural dips where the ground is lower.
Slow Drainage: In most of Madeira, water hits a steep slope and disappears instantly. In Santo da Serra, the ground is much flatter. During intense storms, the rain falls much faster than the flat land can drain it away.
The Saturated Soil
The volcanic soil in Madeira usually absorbs water well, but Santo da Serra is a bit different:
Clay Layers: Over time, the volcanic ash on the plateau has turned into soil with a high clay content. Clay does not let water pass through easily.
The Sponge Effect: If it has been raining for several days, the ground becomes like a soaked sponge. Once it is full, any new rain simply sits on top of the grass or roads.
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