Spain: Grief and Desperation in Valencia – Nightmares From Murderous Floods · Global Voices

There is no end to the nightmare of the inhabitants of Valencia in the surrounding areas “beated” by the bad weather DANA, with the account of the dead for today (31.10.2024) reaching 158, while thousands are still missing, due to the killings that left nothing standing in their path. This is a “biblical disaster ” that struck the Greater Valencia area. Spain declared a three-day national mourning lasting as of today Thursday through Saturday, after the tragic death of 158 inhabitants recovered from the debris that persisted from the floods. The city subway “disappeared, ” rescuers made heroic efforts to free civilians who were in danger of the huge volume of water. Cars drifted and ended up becoming shapeless masses stacked up on highways and main roads. Huge material damage, tearing down life’s labors. The most deadly floods in modern Spanish history swept the eastern region of Valencia, following torrential rains that hit the area on Tuesday and Wednesday (29-30.10. 24), sinking roads and cities under mudwaters. Based on this report, 155 dead have only been counted in the region of Valencia, the most affected region, two other deaths were recorded in the neighbouring region of Castile La Mancha and one in Andalusia. At least 150 people were killed in severe flash flowers that were dumped through eastern Spain, marking the deadliest floating in the country in decades. — AccuWeather (@accuweather) ◾A man swiveled by the flowers in Spain was retrieved by the neighbours in a balcony lifting him with a loop. — ALBERTO GARCÍA TV (YouTube)⏬💥 (@ALBERTOJOSEGAR4) Floods flooded the streets of both cities by 4:00 in the morning of Wednesday (30.10.2024), simultaneously causing power and drinking water to be shut down. It was seven hours of total chaos. Many residents were found trapped in their vehicles or in commercial facilities. About 80 km of roads in the eastern region have suffered severe disasters or are now inaccessible, Transport Minister Oscar Puente said. Many have been excluded from abandoned cars. My friend in Valencia has just sent me this video taken from her balcony. She has lost her car and has no electricality but thanks fully she’s safe. Just Devastating The “labours” began In the city of Utiel, the Magro River overflowed, resulting in water 3 meters high to sweep the ground floor single-houses. In a state of panic and in fear of continuing extreme weather phenomena, residents emptied the shelves to be prepared for any possibility. With Valencia, Castilla and surrounding areas measuring their wounds, cunningly they already started looting damaged homes and shops. Police arrested yesterday, 39 people, in possession of stolen items mainly from malls. Eight dead in a garage With the account of the dead increasing, the detection of the 8 bodies inside a garage building in La Torre district, Valencia, is unfortunately another major hit for Spain. The victims went down to the building’s garage to take their cars but at that time they were surprised by rushing waters and trapped in tragic death. Among the dead are a married couple, their daughter, and a police officer serving in local service. At least 95 people have been killed in possibly the deadliest floating to hit Spain in its modern history after torrential rain brunt eastern Spain into chaos. Monstrous flash flowers left scenes of devastation as wrecked cars and tracks pilted up along the highs of the city. — CGTN Europe (@CGTNEurope) “These people would not have died if they had been warned in time,” Laura Villaskuza, a neighbor and manager of the local supermarket, told Reuters. The Ministry of the Interior however dropped the “ball” of responsibility to regional authorities saying that they should have taken the measures of civil protection. “Stay in your homes” Message to every resident of the region of Valencia sent today the Prime Minister of Spain Pedro Sanchez who asked everyone to stay in their homes as the phenomenon has not ceased and there is still danger. “The priority at this time is to identify victims who are still under the ruins and missing persons,” Sanchez told reporters after his visit to Valencia that recorded 155 deaths from 158. In the same statements he recalled that the “Aemet” weather service issued this morning a red alert for Castilla. Testimonials of affected persons In a region of Valencia, in Paiporta, where dozens of people were killed in the sudden floods, shops, homes and businesses have been destroyed. A pharmacist working in the area, Miguel Guerrilla reported: “We all know someone who died. It’s a nightmare.” Maribel Albalat, mayor of Piporta, said authorities warned them of imminent flood risk. According to her, 62 people died in her city. “We found many elderly people in their homes and people who had gone to pick up their cars. They were trapped,” she told TVE herself. Per a que es feu una idea del desastre que ha segut açò. Pista de Silla direcció Silla — Nando Durà 🍊🍊 (@NandoDura) In Contegeta, a town 37 km west of the city of Valencia, Antonio Molina, aged 52, described how he survived the flood on Tuesday night, holding a pillar tight on the terrace of a neighbor’s house and while the water had reached the height of his neck, until heavy rainfall was cut. Visiting a coordinating center of rescue operations near the city of Valencia, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez urged citizens to stay in their homes, due to the threat of new storms. Pope Francis said he’s praying for people in the area. “I am near them at this moment of destruction,” he noted in a video he uploaded to X. Tears of joy Spanish Francisco Baixauli took two days to travel a distance of 30 km from his work in the city of Alfafar in Valencia which has been “suffered” by the floods. His arrival, with a backpack on his back, caused tears of joy to his wife and son, who feared for his life, especially the first moments of bad weather on Tuesday (29.10.2024). “We were very afraid because my husband did not come home and we didn’t know where he was, we saw the water flooding everything and his level rising, we saw people in despair, some running to reach their homes, cars being swept away by mudwaters on the streets,” said his wife Angela Munoz. Returning from the port of Sagoodo, 53-year-old Baixauli had to stay in a district just 5 km from Alphafar, “the only place I could reach. I called my wife and son and I knew he was okay at home. I couldn’t get there until today,” he added. Having been reconnected again and with their dog’s escort, the family inspected nearby streets, where some of their neighbors cleaned up the debris. “We had no water to date and no electricity, we had sandwiches for two days… the food in the fridge has rotted and we can’t even take a bath,” Muñoz described. Overall, the storm resulted in at least 158 deaths across Spain, while hundreds are still missing, including children and even a few months of baby. Photo source: Reuters / Associated Press