On October 29th of 2024, severe record-breaking rainfall and flash floods caused by an isolated low-pressure area at high levels managed to bring over a year’s worth of rain to multiple regions in Eastern Spain, including Valencian Community, Castilla-La Mancha, and Andalusia. This is considered the most devastating storm Spain has faced in over a century and could be one of the worst floods in Europe this century. According to AP News, Spain’s national weather service reported that in Chiva Valencia, it rained more in eight hours than it had in the preceding 20 months, calling the deluge “extraordinary.” These floods have killed hundreds of people, destroyed bridges, and covered countless towns with mud, leaving thousands displaced or without a home, water, electricity, or simply even food. Authorities have recovered more than 200 dead bodies and reported 2,000 people missing in this past week alone.
Firefighters pump flood water out of a tunnel in Valencia. Featured Image courtesy of BCC
The last time anything similar to these floods happened was many years ago. Back in October of 1957, Valencia suffered a similar deadly flood. This flood was caused by the same seasonal weather phenomenon known as a Gota Fria or a Cold Drop. This is due to Valencia’s geography placing it at a high risk of being vulnerable to flooding due to its flat position on an alluvial plain near a riverbed. In response to this, authorities implemented the “Plan Sur,” a massive civil engineering project to reroute the Turia River away from the city center. This diversion resulted in reduced flood risk to central Valencia and left an empty bank which later turned into the Turia Gardens, the infamous urban park. Even though these precautions did prevent flooding in the years that followed, what authorities and scientists did not anticipate during earlier floods was the rapid rise of climate change, which ultimately intensifies natural disasters like storms. Specifically, climate change increases rainfall intensity by 30-40%, changing the country’s typically sunny, dry climate.
People in Valencia trying to clear mud from a house. Featured Image courtesy of CNN
As to the government’s response to the natural disaster, the residents of Valencia are outraged over the delayed response to the crisis. Since many people were already on the road, it was too late once authorities sent out warnings via mobile phones urging people to stay at home. Residents like 70-year-old Valentín Manzaneque Fernández who are suffering the consequences quote, “Politicians are scoundrels. They fill their pockets and leave us with this. The storm hit in the morning, but the water came at 8 p.m.—no warning, no care.” In response to the criticism of local authorities, Spain’s prime minister ordered more than 10,000 soldiers police officers, and civil guards be sent to the affected region. Furthermore, residents got riled up as the Spanish King Felipe and Queen Letizia traveled to one of the towns most affected by the disaster. Some of the crowd shouted “murderers,” as they started throwing mud and eggs at the royal couple. Security and police struggled to contain the mob, but swiftly took away the prime minister, as the couple decided to stay to listen and talk to the angry residents who expressed their concerns about their failure to help more. Since there was a lack of support in regards to the crisis, numerous volunteers arrived and walked several kilometres to deliver supplies, basic necessities and help clean up the mud in the worst-affected areas. When the government fails its people, communities come together to support one another.
King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain have mud thrown at them in Valencia. Featured Image courtesy of Hola!
Calls for political accountability grow louder as residents demand that local and national officials take stronger action to prepare for future disasters. Residents are calling for more drastic measures by regional and national leaders to prepare for future disasters, and demands for political accountability are growing louder. Public outcry is sparking conversations about sustainable solutions and legislative changes, while critics complain that politicians have not responded quickly enough to the new realities of climate change. This situation is still an ongoing issue that will keep developing in the next few weeks. Still, for now, Spain and the rest of the world are currently praying and offering assistance and aid to those impacted by the natural disaster.
Citizens from other communities in Spain and around the world have mobilized massively to donate and go as volunteers to help those suffering in Valencia. There have been initiatives from influencers, schools, and city halls all in an effort to alleviate the suffering that the people of Valencia are going through. In addition, one of the clubs from IE Univeristy, “The Charity Club” has started a drive to collect donations, food, cleaning supplies, tools, and any other materials needed.
Collection stations are been set up at the entrances of the IE Tower and María de Molina, here donations can be made in cash or to the Red Cross. Students may also take donations of supplies here, by following the @ie_ charity_ club on Instagram you can know what is most needed and how they are doing. It is important to highlight the impact that these donations can have, how dropping off tools and materials can help, and how spreading the word is greatly appreciated.
Additionally, there is a solidarity campaign called, “Una Copa por Valencia” created by David Aliagas, he urges people to support the disaster relief by donating the amount of money one would normally spend on a drink at the club which is usually 10-15 euros and instead “buy a drink” for Valencia. These funds would directly benefit the city’s recovery from the recent tragedies.
Donate to the campaign “Una Copa por Valencia” (A drink for Valencia) by scanning the QR code.
Lastly, you can support relief efforts by donating to the Red Cross or by transferring funds directly to the city halls and local governments most affected by the disaster. The relevant account numbers are provided below. Every contribution, no matter how small, makes a difference. Thanks in advance for your contribution and generosity!
To donate directly to the towns and villages, please refer to the account numbers provided by each town hall in the image above.
Featured Image: Currently what it looks like to walk a street in Valencia, people looking for missing loved ones are pictured. Courtesy of The Olive Press.
