Else Beekman
Over 100 days have passed since the devastating DANA storm struck the Valencia region on October 29. The flooding left deep scars across the province, causing 224 fatalities and three missing persons. Among the worst-affected areas were the beaches, which, nearly four months later, are still struggling to return to normal.
Dozens of kilometres of the Valencian coastline, from Valencia to Dénia, accumulated tonnes of reeds and all kinds of debris—including dead animals—carried by floods from the ravines after the passage of the DANA storm on 29 October. Despite ongoing cleanup efforts, uncertainty looms over whether they will be fully restored in time for the Easter holidays, a crucial period for tourism in the region.
Widespread impact along the coast
While the flooding primarily affected areas near the Rambla del Poyo, its impact extended up to 100 kilometres north and south. The strong currents carried debris to beaches in the Marina Alta and even as far as Castellón.
Initially, the government promised to assist with cleanup. However, later Madrid emphasised that beach maintenance is a municipal responsibility. Despite some progress, local authorities are growing increasingly concerned as the holiday season approaches.
Cleanup efforts in full swing
In Cullera, heavy machinery continues to remove storm debris from its 15-kilometre coastline. The council expects to complete the cleanup by early March. That is crucial as Cullera prepares for the influx of visitors for the Fallas festival, followed by Easter and its main city festivities in April.
The initial focus was on the worst-hit beaches in the south. There, the Júcar River washed up large amounts of debris. In the north vegetation from the Albufera and the Turia River accumulated. After removing bulky items like tree trunks and plastics, authorities have begun filtering the sand to eliminate smaller waste. The cleanup, which has cost the Cullera City Council half a million euros, is expected to be reimbursed by the national government.
Government and local coordination
In Sueca, the state-owned company Tragsa, under the Ministry for Ecological Transition, has led the cleanup. However, the local council and provincial authorities must conduct further refinements to ensure the beaches are pristine for Easter visitors. Similar concerns exist in Mareny de Barraquetes and El Perelló, where municipal leaders stress that additional cleaning will be needed to bring the sand back to top condition.
“This is a cooperative effort. While funded by the ministry, the Sueca Town Council is facilitating operations and remaining vigilant to assist in any way possible because we are keen to ensure that the beaches are cleaned thoroughly and as soon as possible,” sources from the Town Hall stated in Levante EMV.
Valencia City
Valencia City has also taken matters into its own hands. With no immediate response from national authorities, the municipality allocated an initial budget of €800,000 for cleanup efforts, which could rise above €900,000. Heavy machinery has already cleared major debris from El Perellonet, Pinedo, and El Saler, with fine sand filtering set to conclude before Easter. The Town Council just announced to send another bill of €800,000 to Pedro Sánchez’s government for the clean-up of its beaches following the storm.
Challenges in other coastal towns
Dénia’s cleanup is ongoing, with work in Les Rotes set to finish in February before shifting to the rocky beach of l’Almadrava in March. Local officials remain hopeful that the national government’s will finalise the contract for further cleanup on time, but if not, the city has pledged to complete the work itself.
In Tavernes de la Valldigna, a different issue has emerged. The storm eroded sections of the sand, leaving certain beaches, like La Goleta, in dire need of replenishment. The local mayor has urged authorities to implement long-term solutions to prevent recurring beach loss during future storms.
In the case of Gandia, the town council began cleaning operations a few weeks after the DANA storm deposited tonnes of reeds on the sand. As of today, work is nearly complete on two-thirds of Playa Nord, the most tourist-oriented area. What remains is a section of this beach, as well as Playa de l’Auir and Rafalcaïd. The goal is to have everything completely cleaned by Fallas, when the city kicks off its season.
Meanwhile, the Spanish coastal agency, Demarcación de Costas, continues its phased cleanup approach across various locations. However, some towns, such as Benicarló and Oropesa, have yet to receive national assistance, forcing local governments to step in. In Daimús, Piles, Miramar, and Guardamar de la Safor, the provincial government has stepped up support, prioritising communities with fewer financial resources.