Unprecedented Spain floods kill over 215 in country's deadliest weather disaster in modern history
The storm that wreaked havoc on Spain's eastern coast dumped a year's worth of rain in just eight hours. The catastrophe could become Europe's worst storm-related disaster in over five decades.
Cleanup starts in Valencia after deadly Flooding in Spain
A catastrophic flash flood has claimed over 200 lives in Spain's Valencia region following torrential and historic rains that left roads and towns underwater, according to authorities.
VALENCIA, Spain – More than 215 people have died in Spain as a result of unprecedented floods that have ravaged the region, marking the deadliest weather disaster in the country's modern history.
Pope Francis on Friday offered prayers for those who perished and their families after the storm unleashed its fury on the Iberian Peninsula's eastern coast, including the hard-hit region of Valencia.
"May the Lord sustain those who suffer and those who bring relief. Our closeness to the people of Valencia," the pontiff said, speaking of the region that bore the brunt of the devastation.
WHAT MAKES A 'DANA' STORM LIKE THE ONE CAUSING DEADLY FLOODING IN SPAIN?
Members of the fire brigade, which are part of a search and rescue unit, carry out work as cars and debris block a tunnel on the border of Benetusser and Alfafar municipalities after the recent flash flooding on November 1, 2024 on the border of Benetusser and Alfafar municipalities of Valencia, Spain. (David Ramos / Getty Images)
The death toll climbed to 217 on Sunday, and nearly all the deaths occurred in the Valencia region, Reuters reported. The process of searching for and identifying victims continues.
On Sunday, Spanish King Felipe, Queen Letizia and Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez visited one of the worst areas of flooding.
The storm that wreaked havoc on Spain's eastern coast dumped a year's worth of rain in just eight hours. The mountain town of Chiva, west of Valencia, was inundated with 19.33 inches of rain in eight hours, with some areas experiencing rainfall rates of 6.5 inches per hour.
According to the Spanish State Meteorological Agency, the southern coast of Valencia was again facing extreme risk of heavy rains on Sunday with rainfall rates up to 3 inches per hour.
Over the weekend, emergency officials in Valencia were combating false information about the Aldaia ravine overflowing. However, officials said the ravine was dry and there was no emergency.
More than 500 soldiers were deployed to Valencia to assist survivors and search for the missing.
THE SEARCH FOR MISSING PEOPLE DUE TO SPAIN FLOODING CONTINUES
Thousands of volunteers from across the region were rushing to help out Friday with recovery efforts. In the town of Pinanya, hundreds used shovels and brooms to clean the mud from the streets and buildings. Spanish rescuers opened a temporary morgue in a convention center and struggled to reach areas still cut off amid floodwaters.
WATCH: STRANDED DRIVERS RESCUED AS DEADLY FLOODING HITS SPAIN
Hundreds sweep mud from flooded streets in Valencia region
Thousands of volunteers from across Valencia region rushed on Friday to help out with cleaning efforts at worst-hit areas affected by deadly flooding in eastern Spain.
Aerial footage filmed from a military helicopter Thursday showed widespread flooding continuing in Valencia. The Spanish Air and Space Force said the footage was shot while the crew of an NH90 helicopter was engaged in a six-and-a-half-hour rescue mission.
Spain's Military Emergency Unit (UME) crews were seen inspecting the damage and searching basement carparks and buildings in Valencia overnight Thursday, using trained dogs.
A police officer was forced to use bedsheets to rescue his neighbor who was being dragged away by floodwaters in Valencia on Wednesday.
The Spanish National Police released a video showing cars submerged in floodwaters. A woman can be seen in the water, clinging to sheets tied to a makeshift rope.
AERIAL VIDEO SHOWS WIDESPREAD FLOODING DEVASTATION IN SPAIN
Dramatic moment police use bedsheets to rescue woman from floodwater in Spain
A police officer used bedsheets to rescue his neighbor who was being dragged away by floodwaters in Valencia, Spain, on Wednesday.
"Our colleague Daniel … being off duty last night managed to keep a neighbour afloat when she was being dragged by the current in Benetuser," police captioned the video. "Moments before, he saved another neighbour thanks to a rope he made with sheets."
The Education Ministry said 22 municipalities will not be able to provide classes this week because of storm damage.
The catastrophe could become Europe's worst storm-related disaster in over five decades.
In 2021, at least 185 people died in heavy flooding in Germany. Prior to that, 209 people died in Romania in 1970, and floods in Portugal in 1967 killed nearly 500 people.