Spain in Panic

Thousands Trapped in Valencia’s Flash Floods

Photo by Wes Warren on Unsplash

Flash flooding caused by heavy rainfall in eastern Spain has killed at least 220 people. The flooding damaged tens of thousands of homes and motor vehicles. Valencia’s flash floods are one of the most powerful flash floods in recent years.

In a matter of minutes on Oct. 29, storm water had started overflowing riverbanks, covering roads, railways, houses and businesses in southern Valencia. Spain’s national weather service explained that it had rained more in eight hours than it had in the previous 20 months in some places.

Mobile phone alerts were sent to residents, but they were too late. Many were driving and working in low-ground areas when the waters rushed in.

The Spanish people are upset over the poor handling of Valencia’s flooding. When the Spanish prime minister Pedro Sánchez and other officials visited Paiporta, a hard-hit area, a mob formed, throwing mud and other objects at them.