At least 13 flash-flood related deaths were caused by the torrential rain in south-eastern Spain, according to local police’s statements. Hailstorms and violent storms have battered the Valencia region with severe rainfall and left behind flooding and damage over many places.
Rescue operations are already underway, but the president of the Valencia region, Carlós Mazón, said it was “impossible” to estimate the final death toll at this moment. On social media, footage can be seen of the devastation caused by the floods: bridges submerged, vehicles being swept through the streets, and people holding onto trees while trying not to be washed away by the rushing waters.
It has made the process complicated for emergency services as they have to handle hundreds of calls about people trapped in flooded areas or looking for family members. “Emergency workers are using drones to help locate missing people,” said local official Milagros Tolon in the municipality of Letur.
Reports claim several of the residents in Valencia spent the night huddled in their cars, on rooftops, or on top of bridges while waiting for rescue. Spain’s state weather agency, AEMET, has issued a red alert throughout the Valencia region and in parts of Andalusia.
Flooding has also inconvenienced transport where different flights are being diverted from Valencia to nearby towns and a myriad other ones have been canceled. It is reported that this has resulted in train services around Valencia region to come to an absolute standstill.
In response to the crisis, Valencia city hall announced that all schools and sporting events were suspended on Wednesday. The parks will remain closed, and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez expressed his concern by urging citizens to follow the advice of the authorities by not traveling unnecessarily during such a critical situation.
