Witness History The deadly Vargas mudslides in Venezuela
Jan 15, 2026
Leydys Crespo, an eyewitness to the devastating 1999 Vargas floods in Venezuela, shares her harrowing experience during this natural disaster. She describes the shocking arrival of torrential rains, leading to catastrophic mudslides that swept away homes and lives. Leydys recounts her family's desperate attempts to flee and the unsettling conditions in refugee shelters during the holidays. As the casualty figures remain debated, Leydys reflects on the enduring impact of the tragedy and the years it took to rebuild her life.
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The ‘Big Brown Wave’ That Came Down The Mountain
- Leydys Crespo describes a terrifying ‘big brown wave’ of mud, water, boulders and trees rushing down the mountain.
- She fled uphill with family, then realised the hill was unsafe and had to move again to survive.
Seeing Towns Carried Away
- Leydys recounts seeing vehicles, animals and houses carried away in warm, sulfur-smelling floodwaters.
- She felt intense fear and shielded her children while the city seemed to float around them.
Death Toll Uncertainty And Widespread Loss
- Official figures varied wildly: the government cited about 3,000 dead while other estimates ranged 10,000–30,000.
- Many bodies remained buried under mud, rocks or trees, and tens of thousands were left homeless.