Valencia, Spain: Devastating Flooding Kills At Least 95, Leaves Towns Underwater
Valencia, Spain – In what is being described as the worst natural disaster to hit the European nation in recent memory, at least 95 people have lost their lives in devastating flash floods that swept through the eastern region of Valencia and surrounding areas on Tuesday. The death toll is expected to rise as rescue teams continue to search for missing persons in hard-to-reach places.
The flooding, triggered by torrential rain that lasted for hours, turned village streets into rivers, ruined homes, and disrupted transportation. Cars were swept away, and debris and household items swirled in the muddy waters as the region experienced a year’s worth of rain in just eight hours. The Spanish meteorological agency, AEMET, issued a red alert for the region, warning of extreme rainfall.
Emergency services and more than 1,000 soldiers from Spain’s emergency response units were deployed to the affected areas. The central government set up a crisis committee to coordinate rescue efforts, which included air evacuations and ground rescues. However, the rescue operations were hampered by downed power lines, power outages, and inaccessible roads.
“Yesterday was the worst day of my life,” said Ricardo Gabaldón, the mayor of Utiel, a town in Valencia that was one of the worst hit. He said six residents perished, and many more are missing. “We were trapped like rats. Cars and trash containers were flowing down the streets. The water was rising to 3 meters (9.8 feet).”
The flooding has caused widespread devastation, with many towns and villages left underwater. Aerial footage released by the Spanish police reveals the extent of the destruction, with cars piled up in the streets and debris scattered everywhere. The elderly were particularly vulnerable, with several nursing homes and senior residences affected. One video showed seniors in chairs and wheelchairs at a Paiporta nursing home, with water rising over their knees as staff struggled to ensure their safety.
The death toll from the flooding is the worst in Europe since 2021, when at least 185 people died in Germany. It is also the deadliest flood-related disaster in Spain since 1996, when 87 people died near a town in the Pyrenees mountains.
Spain’s King Felipe VI and Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez have expressed their condolences to the families of the victims and thanked the emergency services for their response. The monarchy also offered “heartfelt condolences” to the affected families. The European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the European Union was “ready to help” with rescue efforts and had activated its Copernicus satellite system to help coordinate the rescue teams.
The flooding has not only caused loss of life but also significant damage to infrastructure and property. Many roads and bridges have been destroyed, and transport has been severely affected. A high-speed train with nearly 300 people on board derailed near Malaga, although rail authorities said no one was hurt. High-speed train service between Valencia city and Madrid was interrupted, and the transport ministry said it could take up to four days to restore high-speed service to the capital due to the damage done to the line. Bus and commuter rail lines were likewise interrupted, and many flights were canceled, stranding some 1,500 people overnight at Valencia’s airport.
The flooding has also raised concerns about the impact of climate change on extreme weather events. Scientists have warned that heavy rainfall events have become more frequent and intense worldwide, largely due to climate change. Human activities such as urban development, deforestation, and inadequate infrastructure are also known to increase flood risks. Spain has experienced similar autumn storms in recent years, but nothing compared to the devastation over the last two days.
As the rescue and recovery efforts continue, the people of Valencia and the surrounding areas are in need of support and assistance. The Spanish government has declared three days of mourning in memory of those who lost their lives, and the country is united in grief and solidarity with the affected families.