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 García, Meteorologist and Disaster Response Expert**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. García. We’re hearing devastating news about the recent storms in Spain, particularly in Valencia and now in Catalonia. Can you give us an overview of what’s happening?
**Dr. García:** Thank you for having me. The storms in Spain have been catastrophic. As of now, over 217 people have tragically lost their lives due to the flooding, with fears that the number could rise as search efforts continue. In areas like Aldaia, divers are searching flooded garages where many individuals were trapped as floodwaters surged in very quickly.
**Interviewer:** That sounds horrifying. The storm seems to have shifted north from Valencia to Catalonia. What does this mean for the residents there?
**Dr. García:** Yes, that’s correct. The weather service, AEMET, has issued new warnings for Catalonia, particularly in the Barcelona area. Residents received alerts about “extreme and persistent rain,” urging them to stay indoors and avoid any unnecessary travel. The region is at risk of similar flooding experiences that have already devastated Valencia.
**Interviewer:** What factors led to this extreme weather event? Is this part of a larger pattern we should be concerned about?
**Dr. García:** Several factors contribute to such extreme weather, including climate change, which can intensify storm patterns and increase rainfall. Additionally, geographical features and urbanization play a role in how areas handle heavy rains. Spain has experienced a series of intense storms recently, raising concerns about whether this trend is likely to continue.
**Interviewer:** What measures can be taken to protect residents in flood-prone areas?
**Dr. García:** First and foremost, emergency services must be prepared and proactive in issuing warnings. Local governments can implement better drainage systems and infrastructure that can handle heavy rain, as well as developing comprehensive evacuation plans. Community awareness and preparedness are essential for minimizing risks during such extreme events.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. García. It’s important for communities to stay informed and prepared. We’ll continue to monitor the situation in Spain closely.
**Dr. García:** Thank you for having me. Let’s hope for a swift recovery for those affected and for stronger measures against future storms.
