The torrential rains and floods that struck Valencia and parts of Castilla-La Mancha on 29 October have been ranked as the tenth most expensive climate disaster globally in 2024, according to a British NGO Christian Aid report.
The study, released on Monday, estimates losses exceeding €4 billion. However, the actual costs may be higher due to limitations in available insurance data.
Devastation across Spain
This marks the first time a disaster in Spain has appeared in Christian Aid’s annual top ten list since its inception in 2018. Beyond the financial toll, the floods claimed 223 lives, with four people still missing. Thousands were displaced, losing homes, vehicles, and belongings, leaving the region grappling with a long road to recovery. The scale of destruction was so big that people in Valencia and its surrounding areas are still facing the challenge of rebuilding both infrastructure and lives.
“A stark warning”
Professor Joanna Haigh, emeritus professor of atmospheric physics at Imperial College London, called the report a “grim reminder” of the escalating costs of climate inaction. “Ignoring climate change will only worsen its effects, causing untold suffering globally,” she said, urging governments to accelerate the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources.
Her sentiments were echoed by Davide Faranda, a leading climate researcher at the Pierre Simon Laplace Institute in France. “Extreme weather events like these are becoming unbearably costly for humanity,” Faranda stated, adding that the solution lies in abandoning fossil fuel dependence to reverse the trend.
Protests in Valencia demand accountability
Thousands gathered in Valencia on Sunday, two months after the deadly DANA ravaged the region, to demand accountability from the regional government. The protest, organised by over 200 entities, saw approximately 80,000 participants, according to the Government Delegation, and carried the slogan “Mazón, resign.”
Protesters marched through the city centre, highlighting the ongoing struggles of affected municipalities still grappling with mud and destruction. The rally accused regional president Carlos Mazón of “denying the evidence” of the disaster’s impact and prioritizing an end to the crisis over meaningful action.
Furthermore, at the forefront of the demonstration were seven tractors, representing farmers—one of the hardest-hit groups. Residents, victims’ families, and professionals such as firefighters and emergency workers followed them, demanding Mazón’s administration’s resignation.
Recurring protests reflect growing frustration
This was the third major protest following earlier marches on 9 November and 30 November, which attracted 130,000 and 100,000 participants, respectively. The demonstration’s route, adapted for the festive season, started at Plaza de San Agustín and concluded at Plaza América.
Spokespeople for the organisers criticised the government’s handling of the crisis, stating the administration “lacks the capacity to govern or lead the reconstruction process.” As the affected communities struggle to recover, the demand for justice and effective leadership grows louder.
A global crisis
Globally, the top ten climate disasters of 2024 resulted in losses totalling €228.9 billion. The United States is bearing the heaviest financial burden at €57 billion. Hurricane Milton, which wreaked havoc in Florida and caused €57 billion in damages, topped the list, followed by Hurricane Helene, which devastated the US, Cuba, and Mexico with losses of over €52 billion.
Asia also faced significant losses, with summer floods in China costing €14 billion and Typhoon Yagi causing €12 billion in damages across Southeast Asia. In Europe, other notable disasters included Storm Boris in Central Europe and floods in Germany, which resulted in €9 billion in damages.
Spain’s inclusion in the global ranking highlights the increasing vulnerability of Southern Europe to extreme weather. As the country prepares to address climate issues at the upcoming COP30 in Brazil, the need for robust climate policies has never been clearer.