Cleanup begins in Valencia after Spain’s worst floods in history claim over 200 lives
Cleanup operations have begun across Valencia, which has been declared a disaster zone by Spain’s prime minister after more than a year’s worth of rain in just one day caused the country’s worst floods on record. Since Tuesday, October 29, 2024, the flooding has claimed over 200 lives and left dozens missing. Three days of mourning have been declared nationwide as Valencia faces severe damage with impassable roads, destroyed bridges, and overflowing rivers submerging homes in neck-deep waters.
By Wednesday morning, October 30, an automatic weather station in the Jucar region recorded 445.4 mm (17.53 inches) of rain in just 24 hours. This deluge marked the highest rainfall in a single day in Valencia since September 11, 1996, when 520 mm (20.47 inches) fell in Tavernes de la Vall.
Spanish State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) reported that the town of Chiva experienced 491 mm (19.33 inches) in only eight hours, with 344 mm (13.55 inches) falling over four hours and an astounding 165 mm (6.5 inches) within just one hour on Tuesday.
The resulting floods overwhelmed Valencia’s infrastructure, catching residents off guard and forcing thousands to evacuate as rivers overflowed and torrents surged through communities. Bridges collapsed, streets became rivers, and vast areas were cut off as emergency responders struggled to reach stranded residents. Hundreds of vehicles were either submerged or swept away, leaving a wake of debris scattered across the city.
Spanish authorities have said they expect the number of deaths to rise as more bodies could be found inside cars and buildings.
At least 1 700 soldiers have been deployed to help emergency workers in search for survivors and bodies.
The flooding is already considered Spain’s worst flood-related disaster in living memory. Additionally, due to many missing people, this tragedy has the potential to become Europe’s deadliest storm-related disaster in over half a century.
In 2021, Germany experienced devastating floods that claimed at least 185 lives, predominantly in the western states of Rhineland-Palatinate and North Rhine-Westphalia. Earlier, in 1970, Romania faced severe flooding that resulted in 209 deaths. Portugal’s 1967 floods were even more catastrophic, with nearly 500 fatalities.
The extensive damage to infrastructure, including destroyed bridges and impassable roads, has hindered relief efforts and the Spanish government has declared three days of national mourning.
Flash floods in southern Valencia have left towns struggling with severe shortages of basic supplies three days after the disaster struck. Residents report being trapped in homes due to blocked streets filled with debris and vehicles, with some areas still lacking electricity, water, and stable phone connections.
The disaster has also impacted regions around Valencia, including Godelleta, where some people clung to pillars to survive neck-deep floodwaters.
In Alfafar, one of the worst-hit towns, locals describe the situation as a “disaster,” with elderly people lacking medication and children without food or milk. Many are expressing anger over the lack of early warnings and ongoing delays in assistance.
In the town of Utiel, the Magro River burst its banks, flooding homes with up to 3 m (9.8 feet) of water. At least six people have died in flood-related incidents in the town.
Residents used water pumps on tractors to begin clean-up efforts on Thursday, with children helping to sweep sidewalks. Ruined household appliances and furniture were piled in the middle of roads, while elderly residents struggled to walk on slippery, mud-coated streets.
More than 150 000 people in Valencia had no power on Wednesday, but this number has been reduced by as much as 75% by Thursday night.
Infrastructure throughout Valencia has been severely impacted, with floodwaters sweeping away railway tracks, roads, and bridges, and destroying crucial citrus crops such as oranges, which are exported globally.
Authorities are working to assess the damage and restore operations, but it is expected that the disruptions will last for several weeks.
AEMET has issued Amber rainfall warnings for Friday in Valencia and Castellón, where communities are still recovering from floods. Although rainfall today is expected to be lighter than earlier in the week, there is a heightened risk of flooding due to saturated ground.
Additionally, Red warnings are in effect for southwestern Spain, particularly near Huelva by the Portuguese border.
Andalusia’s regional leader, Juanma Moreno, has urged residents to exercise extreme caution and stay indoors if possible.
References:
1 Spain searches for bodies after unprecedented flooding claims at least 158 lives – AP – November 1, 2024
2 Death toll in Spain’s floods rises to 158, among Europe’s worst storm disasters – Reuters – November 1, 2024
3 Spain floods latest: New red alert in Spanish region – as residents told to ‘brace for more fatalities’ – SkyNews – November 1, 2024
4 Spain floods: Death toll rises to 205 as nation braces for more rain – euronews – November 1, 2024
Featured image: Satellite image of Valencia, Spain on October 31, 2024. Credit: Copernicus EU/Sentinel-2, The Watchers
I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.
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