Unprecedented flooding leaves eastern Spain devastated

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eastern Spain devastated

The DANA storm that struck eastern Spain this week has left a path of destruction in its wake, with at least 95 confirmed deaths, dozens missing, and widespread property damage. Valencia has been the worst hit, accounting for 92 of the fatalities. Meanwhile, one death was recorded each in Albacete, Cuenca, and Málaga.

Among the deceased are at least five children. As the situation unfolds, Spanish authorities have declared three days of official mourning from Thursday to Saturday midnight. Furthermore they declared designated affected areas as “zones highly impacted by natural disaster.”

Emergency efforts and evacuation rescues

Despite early alerts from the State Meteorological Agency (AEMET), the full magnitude of the disaster became apparent late Tuesday, as emergency calls for rescue flooded social media. Overnight, the Military Emergency Unit (UME) and local services launched a large-scale rescue operation in the Valencia region, evacuating around 200 people trapped in homes and vehicles. By Wednesday morning, authorities had reported devastating scenes: streets transformed into rivers, thousands of cars swept away by torrents, and extensive flooding in nursing homes, shopping centres, and industrial facilities.

Travel disruptions and warnings in eastern Spain

The storm has left parts of eastern Spain cut off from major transportation routes. High-speed train services between Valencia and Madrid and Barcelona are expected to remain suspended until at least Sunday. Furthermore, regional rail lines are also down. Road access is severely impacted, with major motorways like the A-3 and A-7 closed in some areas. The Directorate-General for Traffic (DGT) has urged people to avoid non-essential travel and follow official guidance. Still, nearly 1,200 people remain stranded on roads and an estimated 5,000 vehicles are immobilised on Valencia’s main highways.

In response, the Guardia Civil has deployed 750 officers, six helicopters equipped with emergency gear. Several boats were also used to aid in search and rescue. Authorities report that approximately 2,500 rescues have already taken place in the affected areas.

Historical rainfall 

DANA has broken rainfall records, with over 445 litres per square metre recorded in parts of Valencia. A record amount has been registered in Turis on Tuesday: an ‘authentical barbarity’ of 630 litres. This figure rivals the 520 litres registered during the “gota fría” of September 1996. Experts from AEMET are calling this event “the most severe ‘gota fría’ of the century” in the region, with effects surpassing those of the devastating storm in 2019.

Cogesa Expats

President Pedro Sánchez and opposition leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo are set to visit the Integrated Operational Coordination Centre (CECOPI) in Valencia to assess the damage and meet with emergency officials. Following his visit, Sánchez will preside over a crisis committee meeting at La Moncloa to coordinate the ongoing response.

Paiporta as epicentre: 40 dead and rising chaos

Paiporta, a town just outside Valencia with a population of 25,000, has been devastated by the DANA storm. This town is the hardest-hit area with 40 of the 92 confirmed fatalities so far. Life has been turned upside down, with residents facing heartbreaking losses and widespread destruction. Locals report anguish over unresponsive friends and family, as communication and basic services are severely disrupted.

Amid the chaos, water and food shortages have spurred looting across Paiporta and nearby towns. With no running water and shops closed, desperate residents have broken into stores, with reports of looters selling basic items like cigarettes at exorbitant prices. “People are entering shops with carts full of goods,” shares Juanjo, a Paiporta resident, shocked at the surreal scenes unfolding. 

Infrastructure has been ravaged, including Paiporta’s metro lines, which have been destroyed, cutting off transport links to Valencia and nearby areas. 

In neighbouring Torrent, the community mourns eight of its own, including children, lost to the storm’s fury. The mayor of Torrent expressed “deep sadness and grief” over the unexpected devastation, with local authorities working around the clock to address the crisis.

For those with family members missing, a dedicated helpline has been set up at 900 365 112.

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