On Monday, divers entered a flooded garage in Aldaia, west of Valencia, in search of missing persons.
The large garage has room for thousands of cars, and many never managed to get out when large amounts of flood water and mud flowed in. The same was the case in several other underground garage facilities and tunnels.
So far, 217 people have been found dead after the storm, but several are still missing and it is feared that the number will rise.
New danger warning
Spain‘s weather service AEMET withdrew the red danger warning for the Valencia area on Monday, but at the same time issued a new danger warning for the Catalonia region further north.
Residents of the Barcelona area received messages about “extreme and persistent rain” on their mobile phones in the morning hours and were asked, among other things, to stay away from what are usually dry riverbeds and canals.
Parts of air and train traffic were suspended, and several motorways in the Barcelona area, home to 8 million people, had to close as a result of floodwaters.
Mud on the king
The storm has upset many people in Spain, something King Felipe, Queen Letizia and Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez painfully experienced when they visited Paiporta just south-west of Valencia on Sunday.
Enraged people threw mud at the monarch and smashed the window of the Prime Minister’s car, and Spain’s Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska has announced a full investigation into how this could happen.
Grande-Marlaska accuses “extremist groups” of taking advantage of the situation and causing the chaos, but it is unclear who he is referring to.
The incident revealed dissatisfaction with the authorities, who are both accused of a lack of notification and poorly organized aid efforts.
Paying tribute to volunteers
On Monday, thousands of soldiers and police officers were deployed to clean up the destruction and distribute emergency aid to those who need it.
Several days after the disaster struck, however, only a few villages had received assistance from the authorities. However, many volunteers have contributed with food, drink and other help.
– It must not be romanticized. People saved others because we were abandoned, says Jorge. He lives in the village of Chiva, which was supposed to have received the royal couple’s visit on Sunday, a visit that was cancelled.
– It is the volunteers who deserve applause, not those who come to show off and have their picture taken, says the 25-year-old.
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**Interview with Dr. Elena Martinez, Meteorologist and Disaster Response Specialist**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Martinez. The recent floods in Spain have been catastrophic, claiming over 200 lives and leaving many missing. Can you explain the meteorological factors that contributed to such a devastating storm?
**Dr. Martinez:** Thank you for having me. The recent storm was exacerbated by a combination of extreme weather patterns, including a warm sea surface temperature in the Mediterranean, which fueled heavy rainfall, and a system of low pressure that stalled over the region. This created prolonged, intense precipitation, leading to flash floods in various communities, particularly around Valencia.
**Interviewer:** We’ve learned that divers are searching for missing persons in underground garages in Aldaia. What are the challenges rescue teams face in such situations?
**Dr. Martinez:** The challenges are significant. First responders need to deal with low visibility, strong currents, and dangerous debris in flooded areas. Water levels can rise quickly and unpredictably, making it difficult to navigate. Additionally, searching in confined spaces like underground garages poses risks of structural instability, further complicating rescue efforts.
**Interviewer:** There are reports of growing public anger regarding the government’s response. What could be improved in terms of disaster preparedness and response in Spain?
**Dr. Martinez:** Effective disaster preparedness involves timely warnings and clear communication with the public. Authorities should invest in improving prediction capabilities and infrastructure resilience, especially in flood-prone areas. After this tragedy, it is crucial for the government to engage with communities to understand their concerns and to develop comprehensive emergency response plans that prioritize safety and timely evacuations.
**Interviewer:** Lastly, the weather service lifted the red warning for Valencia but issued a new one for Catalonia. What does that mean for residents there?
**Dr. Martinez:** Lifting the warning for Valencia indicates that the immediate threat has decreased; however, the issuance of a new warning for Catalonia suggests that the region is still at risk for heavy rains. Residents should stay alert and heed any emergency notifications. It’s crucial for communities to have emergency plans in place and to be prepared for sudden weather changes.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Martinez, for your insights on this tragic situation in Spain. Our thoughts are with those affected by the floods.
**Dr. Martinez:** Thank you for shedding light on this issue.
