Death Toll Rises as Valencia Faces Catastrophic Floods, Dozens Still Missing
Spanish rescue teams continued their extensive search efforts on Thursday in Valencia’s flood-ravaged fields and submerged vehicles, hoping to locate those still missing after powerful storms brought devastating floods to the region. The deluge, considered one of Europe’s deadliest in recent years, has resulted in at least 95 fatalities, with officials warning the toll may rise. Defense Minister Margarita Robles indicated that the number of people missing remains undisclosed, adding that search and recovery efforts are ongoing.
Rescuers deployed helicopters to airlift survivors from flood-stricken areas, and search crews moved through thick mud and vehicle wreckage to recover those who were stranded. Heavy machinery such as diggers and water pumps were used to clear roads and neighborhoods blanketed by debris, as seen in national television coverage.
The floods struck Valencia with unprecedented force, damaging critical infrastructure across the region. Overflowing rivers demolished bridges, roads, rail lines, and buildings, leaving major highways impassable and strewn with abandoned vehicles. Transport Minister Oscar Puente reported that around 50 miles (80 km) of roadways were either destroyed or blocked, with some roads lined with vehicles containing deceased individuals. Puente added that it could take up to three weeks to restore the high-speed train link between Valencia and Madrid.
Though Thursday brought calm weather to the Valencia area, Spain’s weather agency, AEMET, issued a severe storm alert for the neighboring Castellon province. Northern parts of the Catalonia region, including Tarragona, were also placed under an amber warning. Meteorologists reported that a year’s worth of rain fell within eight hours on Tuesday, triggering landslides, vehicle pile-ups, and widespread flooding. The storm has since shifted northeast but continues to pose risks.
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez visited a rescue coordination center in L’Eliana, near Valencia, urging residents to avoid travel and remain vigilant amid the likelihood of more storms. “Right now, saving lives is the utmost priority,” Sanchez stated, underscoring the importance of safety.
Local residents recounted their experiences as floodwaters surged through their towns, submerging homes and sweeping away trees and pieces of infrastructure. In the rural town of Utiel, about 85 kilometers inland, the Magro River overflowed, causing water levels to rise nearly 10 feet in single-story homes. Utiel’s mayor, Ricardo Gabaldon, reported that at least six residents, mainly elderly or disabled individuals unable to evacuate, perished in the flood.
As Utiel began recovery efforts, residents and volunteers worked with water pumps to clear the streets, with damaged furniture and appliances stacked in the roadways. A local teacher, Encarna, reflected on the losses sustained by the community. “The sorrow is for those who have died. These are my savings, my effort, my life. But we are alive,” she said tearfully.
The flood’s impact on agriculture has been equally severe. Javier Iranzo and Ana Carmen Fernandez, farmers from Utiel, described the catastrophic damage to their pig farm, where 50 animals drowned in the floodwaters. They estimated their losses in the hundreds of thousands of euros, raising concerns about whether promised government aid would be sufficient to help them rebuild.
With continued storm alerts and recovery efforts in motion, the Valencia region remains on high alert, as residents and authorities brace for further challenges in the wake of the unprecedented flooding.
