A brutal surge of flash flooding has left at least 158 dead across eastern Spain, with the Valencia region bearing the brunt of the devastation. Emergency services are racing against time to locate those still missing, while meteorologists warn of more torrential rain on the way. The sudden deluge, which saw nearly a year’s worth of rain fall in a matter of hours, has destroyed homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure, transforming streets into rivers laden with debris.
Rising Death Toll
The emergency coordination centre confirmed in a statement that 155 of the total 158 fatalities occurred in the Valencia region alone. Homes, shops, and entire streets lie in ruins. Cars overturn, debris piles high, and residents struggle to salvage what remains. Towns like Paiporta show evident impact, as floods have swept away local businesses and homes in one of the most heavily affected areas.
One resident, Miguel Guerrilla, a pharmacist whose shop now lies in ruins, recounted the profound sense of loss in the town. “We all know someone who has died,” he shared, standing outside what was once his livelihood. “It’s a nightmare.” Around him, volunteers who have arrived to aid in the cleanup navigate a landscape marred by grief and destruction, their work overshadowed by the constant arrival of funeral service vans to retrieve the bodies of those lost.
Prime Minister Urges Caution as More Rain Looms
Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez visited an emergency center in Valencia early Friday morning to assess the damage and rally support for ongoing rescue and relief efforts. In a public address, Sánchez appealed to residents in affected areas to stay indoors whenever possible, warning that the flooding emergency “is not over.” Valencia has since been declared a “disaster zone,” with government resources pledged to aid the area’s recovery.
“Right now, the most important thing is to save as many lives as possible,” Sánchez stated. He expressed deep gratitude to emergency personnel and reassured the Valencian community that the government would be by their side for “as long as necessary and with all possible resources.” More than 1,000 emergency workers have deployed to the region. They will continue efforts to locate missing persons, clear debris, and manage evacuations in areas at further risk.
“Trapped Like Rats”: Residents’ Harrowing Experiences
The sheer speed of the flood left many residents with little chance to escape, resulting in harrowing stories of survival. Lucia Martínez, a resident of Valencia, described the terror of being trapped in her own home as floodwaters rapidly filled the streets and surged towards her doorstep.
“We were trapped like rats,” she said. “It happened so fast; we barely had time to think, let alone save anything.”
After hours of waiting for the water to subside, Martínez and her family managed to escape unscathed, but many of her neighbours were not as fortunate.
With additional rainfall projected in the coming days, the Spanish Meteorological Service has issued further warnings for eastern Spain, including Valencia and surrounding areas. These new alerts underscore the challenges emergency services face as they continue rescue efforts in an environment of ongoing risk.
Spanish Football Matches Postponed
The flooding crisis has not only disrupted lives but also Spain’s beloved football calendar. In response to the escalating emergency, the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has postponed every professional and amateur match scheduled in the Valencia region for this weekend. This includes La Liga’s highly anticipated game between Valencia and Real Madrid, as well as a match between Villarreal and Rayo Vallecano.
La Liga clubs in the area requested to halt all matches, prioritising public safety and relief efforts over sports. The RFEF has extended this postponement to all non-professional matches, emphasising the nation’s focus on recovery as Spain grapples with one of its worst natural disasters in recent memory.
