The devastating DANA (Isolated High-Level Depression) that struck Valencia on 29 October 2024, left a trail of destruction, including nearly 130,000 damaged vehicles scattered across the region.
Over two months later, the Generalitat Valenciana continues its arduous task of clearing these makeshift car graveyards. Despite significant progress, with 30,000 vehicles already sent to scrapyards, the challenge remains immense.
Clearing the aftermath
The Generalitat’s Ministry of Environment, Infrastructure, and Territory has prioritised removing vehicles from affected areas. Councillor Vicente Martínez Mus highlighted in Las Provincias the complexity of the operation, explaining that each vehicle requires detailed assessment, ownership verification, and proper disposal tracking. “While progress may seem slow, we are making significant strides,” he assured. Mus added that over 500,000 tonnes of other debris have also been cleared.
Scrapyards under pressure
The logistical demands of processing so many vehicles have strained Valencia’s scrapyards. Facilities such as José Jareño S.A. in Sagunto and a new site in Gandía have ramped up operations to handle the influx. Additionally, vehicles from Picassent and other heavily affected areas are gradually being transported for recycling. The Generalitat has implemented measures under Spain’s Law 7/2022 to expedite these emergency operations.
Expanding efforts beyond Valencia
Despite local efforts, the sheer volume of vehicles has necessitated sending some to scrapyards in neighbouring regions. Francisco José Gan Pampols, Vice President for Recovery, confirmed that the move was unavoidable due to the saturation of Valencian facilities. These external partnerships have become crucial in accelerating the cleanup process.
Addressing challenges in key locations
Specific hotspots like Paiporta and Catarroja continue to present logistical challenges. In Paiporta, vehicles stored along Avenida Montgó are being gradually dismantled, while larger operations are underway in Catarroja. Each step—from damage assessment to transportation—requires meticulous coordination, further slowing the pace.
While progress has been made, nearly 100,000 vehicles remain. The Generalitat’s immediate focus is on expediting the removal of these vehicles. Meanwhile, they have to manage environmental risks associated with large-scale operations. “The processes are slow by necessity,” admitted Martínez Mus, “but we are doing everything possible to improve efficiency and support local municipalities.”
The aftermath
The slow pace at which damaged cars are being removed from Valencia’s streets is not the only sign of the aftermath of DANA. Victims are very frustrated about the slow pace of aid distribution. Two months after the disaster, nearly 700 families a day continue to apply for direct aid to cover personal and material damages caused by the DANA. As of now, over 33,000 applications have been filed, but the process remains painfully slow. Only 5% of requests have resulted in payouts, amounting to just €31.8 million distributed to 1,585 families. This represents a small fraction of the 223 fatalities and the thousands who lost homes, vehicles, and livelihoods.