The east of Spain has endured the gravest flash floods in 40 years, resulting in over ninety fatalities, countless missing individuals, and widespread anarchy in multiple regions. The deluge originated from a downpour that began on Tuesday evening and persisted into Wednesday, severely affecting areas like Valencia in the Mediterranean coastline alongside parts of Andalucía and Castilla-La Mancha close by. The bursting of river banks overwhelmed city streets, bridges gave way, and vehicles – often with their drivers caught inside – were propelled by the force of the water.
By Wednesday evening, the number of confirmed casualties rose to 95, the vast majority of which were in Valencia, amidst worries of the death count escalating. Pedro Sánchez, the prime minister noted, “All of Spain sheds tears with you,” expressing his sympathies with those impacted. “We will provide all the required resources…so that you can overcome this ordeal. You won’t be abandoned.”
King Felipe also voiced concern about the calamity stating, “The Queen and I extend our deepest condolences to all those who lost dear ones and to those who, in some instances, are still uncertain about the fate of their loved ones.” Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, assured assistance through the Copernicus satellite system and the activation of an EU civil protection mechanism.
The floods sprung as a surprise to many, catching them away from their homes, some seeking shelter atop roofs or inside their cars. The town of Paiporta, close to Valencia city, was hit hardest. According to local resident Guillermo Serrano Pérez, “Around 8.30pm, water came in like a wave, reminiscent of a tsunami… we had to get on to one of the motorway bridges. Near cars were swept away.”
The town, which is home to 27,000 people, reported a minimum of 40 fatalities owing to the flooding, six of whom were residents of an elderly care home. The nearby small town of Letur, in Castilla-La Mancha, reported six missing inhabitants. The body of an 88-year old woman was later discovered in her home.
Emergency responders spent the entire day aiding those trapped on rooftops or within vehicles in the wake of the disaster. Sniffer dogs were utilised in many instances to sift through wreckage in search of survivors.
As the flood waters began receding, the extent of the damage became evident. Cars were stacked on top of each other in numerous towns, whilst many roadways were rendered unnavigable. Train service, especially the rapid-transit route between Madrid and Valencia, suffered severe disruptions. This route, along with several flights to Valencia airport, is anticipated to be out of commission for multiple days.
Around 150,000 residents went without electricity for the entirety of the day, with some seeing power restored by evening. Mobile services were also affected across various regions.
Eastern Spain is no stranger to heavy rain around this period, and public weather warnings were indeed issued on Tuesday. However, this meteorological incident far outranked any expectations, marking the worst disaster of its kind since the 1980s. Criticism has started to arise regarding the regional government’s preparation measures for such an event.
Forecasts predict heavy rain for southern and northeastern areas of Spain on Thursday, and authorities have warned local residents in response.
If this Spanish flash flood situation has impacted you, we’d like to hear your experience.