On the night of July 7, a torrential downpour -- nine inches, the equivalent of six months of average rain for the area -- overwhelmed the region of Krasnodar, southern Russia's "breadbasket," which is known for its thriving agriculture and tourism. The waters swelled into a flood that became the worst natural disaster in Krasnodar's history, killing over 171 people and destroying the possessions of nearly 35,000. The worst-hit area was Krymsk, a town of 57,000 lying about 120 miles northwest of the Black Sea
resort town of Sochi, where Russia will host the 2014 Winter Olympics. Russian authorities have launched an investigation into why the residents of Krasnodar weren't adequately warned of the impending disaster; according to the New York Times, officials admitted that they had been aware of the threat the night before but had not alerted citizens. As President Vladimir Putin's adminstration scrambles to help during the first major disaster of his new term as president, the residents of Krymsk and surrounding towns mourn their dead and survey the damage.
Above, a general view of the flooded town of Krymsk on July 8. Over 29,000 people were still without power at the time this photograph was taken.
MIKHAIL MORDASOV/AFP/GettyImages
