Spain is going through dramatic times, mourning the loss of at least 64 people – including children – from the floods that hit the eastern regions of the country, sweeping away cars and damaging many houses.
The testimonies are terrifying. “It was the worst day of my life. We were trapped like mice. Cars and garbage containers were rolling down the streets. The water was rising to three meters,” Utiel town mayor Ricardo Gabaldon told national broadcaster RTVE.
Devastating image aftermath flood in the Alfafar in the province of Valencia, Spain 🇪🇸 (30.10.2024) pic.twitter.com/HAv3vRgP2z
— Disaster News (@Top_Disaster) October 30, 2024
Ruins everywhere
Everything is destroyed. A bar owner in Valencia’s Barrio de la Torre says the whole “neighborhood has been destroyed”.
“All the cars are on top of each other, they are literally broken up,” said Christian Viena. “Everything is rubble, everything is ready to be thrown away. The mud is almost 30 centimeters deep,” he said.
The number of people killed by the floods is expected to rise. According to officials in Valencia, rain that normally falls in a year fell within 8 hours.
In the meantime, searches for missing persons continue with all means. The Valencia government’s emergency coordination center said it was starting the “process of collecting and identifying the victims”.
OMG, this woman in Valencia is trying to break out of what looks like a supermarket with a fire extinguisher. Must have been terrifying not knowing how high the water was going to rise…pic.twitter.com/kvhFJnR6oK
— Volcaholic 🌋 (@volcaholic1) October 30, 2024
The king is devastated by the tragedy in Spain
Devastated by the tragedy that has struck Spain, King Felipe and Queen Letizia said they sent their “deepest condolences” to the families and friends of the dead.
“Strength, courage and all support to those affected,” the monarchs said in a statement.
“We commend local and regional authorities and all emergency services, the armed forces and state forces and security forces for the tremendous work they have been doing since the very beginning,” they said.
Dramatic rescues and chaos in parts of Spain today as storms bring extreme rainfall and lightning.
Further stormy weather and rain is forecast in southern and eastern areas. pic.twitter.com/hZUUJMl4NX— BBC Weather (@bbcweather) October 29, 2024
What caused the floods in Spain?
The heavy rainfall was attributed to the gota fria, or “cold drop” phenomenon, which occurs when cold air moves over the warm waters of the Mediterranean.
This creates atmospheric instability, causing warm, saturated air to rise rapidly, leading to the formation of towering clouds within hours and dumping heavy rain in eastern parts of Spain.
The national meteorological service Aemet declared a red alert in Valencia and raised the alert to the second highest level in some parts of Andalusia. He also warned that the rains will continue at least until tomorrow Thursday (31/10/24).
“But why can’t climate activists be more patient?” pic.twitter.com/ttlsgC9MZI
— Climate Defiance (@ClimateDefiance) October 29, 2024
Bridge collapsed
The disasters caused by floods are many. Emergency services told citizens to avoid any kind of movement and if it is deemed necessary to follow the updates of the official bodies.
So far roads are closed in Valencia, Teruel, Cuenca, Albacete, Granada and Malaga.
📢⚫️⚠️In Valencia, avoid driving through the province as the roads remain closed:
➡️A3 Chiva-Mislata and A7 in Torrent-La Alcudia
➡️V30 in Mislata, V31 Horno de Alcedo, CV35 in Titaguas
➡️N-3 in Villar de Olmos and Utiel
➡️CV33 Torrent, CV36 Horno de Alcedo and CV50 in Alzira. pic.twitter.com/zNfzRHWIzR— General Traffic Director (@DGTes) October 30, 2024
Video shows the moment rushing waters sweep away and destroy a bridge in Valencia.
A bridge near Valencia in Spain washed away by the power of the devastating floods hitting parts of Spain today. pic.twitter.com/3pf6RIUxIc
— Carlow Weather (@CarlowWeather) October 29, 2024
The Crisis Committee is meeting under Pedro Sanchez
The Spanish government on Tuesday set up a crisis committee chaired by Pedro Sanchez, which will meet this afternoon.
The Commission will coordinate the work of the Civil Guard, the National Police, the General Directorate of Civil Protection and the Military Emergency Unit.
For its part, the opposition blames the tragedy on the government, as it did not activate the emergency protocol. They also blame those companies that forced the workers to work in the torrential rains.
A disaster is unfolding in Spain. WHERE IS THE COVERAGE @bbcnews @itvnews @skynews ?
People are in distress here, maybe losing their lives.
To repeat: NASA warned about climate change in 1988.
Politicians are in the pocket of the oil industry so havenever been serious about… pic.twitter.com/Q0nGUkNZEJ— Matthew Todd 🌏🔥 (@MrMatthewTodd) October 29, 2024
#Tragedy #Spain #dead #trapped #mice
