A. SITUATION ANALYSIS
A.1 Description of the disaster
Heavy rains affected the Argentine regions of Centro, Cuyo and the north-western areas of the country since late February 2015, causing flooding in several municipalities in the provinces of Córdoba, Santa Fe, San Luis Catamarca, Santiago del Estero and Tucumán. According to the National Weather Service (SMN), there were higher values of accumulated and anomalous precipitation in the month of February. Anomalous precipitation is understood as the difference between the precipitation accumulated over one month and normal values according to the 1961-1990 period.
The highest accumulated rainfall values, exceeding 300 millimetres, were registered in central-northern Córdoba and central-northern San Luis. The greatest levels of anomalous precipitation in the country's central region primarily fell in the provinces of Córdoba and San Luis. Rainfall values were also above normal in the provinces of Mendoza, Santa Fe and in south-western Buenos Aires.
Province of Córdoba-
The unusually intense rainfall since February mainly affected places in Sierras Chicas and the city of Córdoba. According to the Emergency Committee of the Córdoba province, 10 people died, one was reporting missing and 1,200 people were evacuated and injured. Additionally, serious damage to roads, bridges and homes was reported in several locations in Sierras Chicas. Reports indicated the water fully covering the asphalt in some locations, towns isolated and the areas without electricity and water services. Flooding also affected crop areas and killed livestock. The provincial government activated its crisis committee led by the governor; authorities reported that these floods had been the most severe of the past 50 years. On 5 March 2015 the municipality of Córdoba declared a Climate Emergency and State of Alert in the city of Córdoba due to the rainfall and strong winds.