What to know about the unprecedented floods that killed more than 200 in Spain

Civil Guards walk in a flooded indoor car park to check cars for bodies after floods in Paiporta, near Valencia. (AP)

Eastern Spain has been left reeling after devastating flash floods, triggered by unprecedented downpours, swept through the region, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake. The catastrophe unfolded with alarming speed, trapping residents in vehicles, homes, and businesses, resulting in the tragic loss of 217 lives, with 213 casualties in the Valencia region alone. Authorities continue the grim task of searching for an unknown number of missing individuals.
Week of desperation and loss
The floods struck with such ferocity that entire localities were submerged within minutes. Particularly hard-hit were 69 communities on Valencia’s southern outskirts, where basic necessities remain scarce. Though water service has resumed, it is deemed unfit for consumption. Emergency kitchens and relief stations have become lifelines, offering sustenance amidst streets still thick with mud and debris.
Volunteers, alongside soldiers and police, are engaged in the monumental cleanup effort. Thousands of homes have suffered severe damage, and vehicles, swept away by the torrents, remain lodged in precarious positions. Tragically, some still contain bodies awaiting identification.
Frustration turns to anger
The disaster management efforts have not escaped criticism. On Sunday, tensions boiled over when a crowd in the heavily affected town of Paiporta pelted mud at Spain’s royals, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, and local officials during their visit. Many residents expressed anger over the perceived sluggish response and inadequate warnings.
Storm’s ferocity and climate connections
Meteorologists described the deluge as an “extraordinary” event, with the town of Chiva experiencing more rainfall in eight hours than in the previous 20 months combined. This was largely attributed to a cut-off low-pressure system, locally known as a DANA, which stalled over the area, unleashing relentless rainfall. Climate scientists also pointed to the unusually high temperatures of the Mediterranean Sea, which reached record levels in August, as a contributing factor.
Spain has been no stranger to autumn storms, but this episode is considered the deadliest in living memory, surpassing even the catastrophic floods of 1957 and the deadly campsite flood in Biescas in 1996.
Government response and criticism
While the crisis is being managed at a regional level, significant national resources have been mobilized. Over 7,500 soldiers and nearly 10,000 police officers have been deployed to assist in search operations and aid distribution. The government plans to declare the area a disaster zone, expediting financial relief for affected communities.
Despite these efforts, criticism has mounted over delayed flood warnings. The first alerts were sent to mobile phones at 8 pm on the night of the disaster, hours after the flooding had begun and long after the national weather agency issued a red alert.
As the search for missing persons continues, the resilience of the affected communities, bolstered by an outpouring of volunteer support, remains a beacon of hope amid the devastation.