Flash floods in Spain: at least 95 fatalities

Flash floods in Spain killed at least 95 people in one of the country’s worst natural disasters. Streets were turned into rivers, homes were damaged, and transport was disrupted due to these extreme phenomena. Areas from Málaga to Valencia were impacted due to torrential rains that hit southern and eastern Spain from Tuesday to Wednesday. Rescue services deployed helicopters and rubber boats to evacuate residents and drivers.

92 people lost their lives in Valencia, while other fatalities were reported in Castilla-La Mancha and Andalusia. Ricardo Gabaldón, Utiel’s mayor, reported six residents dead and others missing, describing scenes of rising floodwaters reaching nearly 10 feet. At least 1,100 soldiers were sent to assist in rescue operations while Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez expressed solidarity with affected families. To support rescue efforts, the European Commission provided satellite resources for coordination.

The national weather service deemed the storm “extraordinary,” noting that Valencia received more rain in eight hours than over the past 20 months combined. This coastal region suffered intense mudslides that left entire neighborhoods buried in mud. Transportation was also heavily disrupted, with a high-speed train derailing near Málaga and services suspended between Valencia and Madrid. Meanwhile, 1,500 passengers were stranded overnight at Valencia’s airport. Numerous events, including soccer games, were canceled as the regional president urged residents to stay indoors.

It’s important to note that scientists caution that the human-driven climate crisis is increasing both the frequency and severity of extreme weather. As fossil fuel pollution heats the planet, the most intense rain events are growing more frequent and powerful. Warmer oceans amplify storms, while a hotter atmosphere holds and then releases more moisture as torrential rainfall.