Lawrence Jenkins wrote:
That may be the case but the jet steram surely highlighted this problem,
because its the first we've heard of it.

Of course, because in the past there was much less people, less tourism
and less construction.

Some impressive images of the flood, in Funchal:

http://www.meteopt.com/forum/seguimento-meteorologico/seguimento-acores-madeira-fevereiro-2010-a-4189-33.html#post199928

Notice the brown water/mud, a lot of top soil is being washed into the
sea, accelerated soil erosion is taking place.