In brief
Over 70 people have died due to catastrophic flash floods that struck Valencia, Spain, with survivors describing terrifying moments as rapid waters surged through streets. Despite warnings issued earlier in the day, many were caught off guard, leading to devastating losses and chaos.
The small municipality of Letur has been severely affected by the tragic floods that swept through the region this week. “When the water began to rise, it came in like a wave,” stated Guillermo Serrano Pérez, a 21-year-old from Paiporta near Valencia. “It felt like a tsunami.” He, like thousands of others, faced the raging waters that struck on Tuesday night, claiming over 70 lives.While he was driving with his parents, they had to abandon their vehicle and escape to a nearby bridge as the floodwaters surged. Although heavy rainfall had lashed the area for hours, many, including Guillermo, were unprepared for the sheer strength of the floods. Warnings about torrential rains had been issued that Tuesday morning at around 07:00 (06:00 GMT) by Spain's meteorological agency Aemet. They cautioned citizens with an extreme danger alert, advising against travel unless truly necessary. Throughout the day, multiple alerts were distributed urging people to steer clear of riverbanks. However, for many, these warnings came too late.Chiva, situated about 20 km away, became one of the first locations to feel the full impact of the floods. Reports state that the town's ravine had been accumulating water since Tuesday afternoon after heavy rains. By 18:00, streets transformed into torrents, sweeping away cars and street furniture. Emergency services rushed to assist as the rapid flooding overwhelmed local measures. “A very strong downpour hit suddenly, and the water rose a metre or a metre and a half in mere minutes,” recounted the mayor of Riba-roja de Túria. As news of individuals missing emerged, concerns were raised regarding the delayed warnings issued to residents. The civil protection service did not notify the populace to avoid travel until over two hours post the disaster as the floodwaters rose.Witnesses like Paco and Patricia shared their terrifying experiences. Paco described the "insane" speed of the water and how he barely managed to emerge from his submerged vehicle. Patricia spoke of an alarming situation in traffic where water rose precariously, causing panic. Amidst the turmoil, social media became a platform for desperate calls for help, showing images of trapped individuals and precarious rescues.In Paiporta, confirmation came that at least 34 fatalities occurred as a result of the floods. Distressing scenes showed wheelchair-bound residents stranded in a flooded care home. Updates from local residents, like Rut Moyano, highlighted the escalating crisis where people sought refuge from the floodwaters, dealing with additional medical emergencies as help remained out of reach.As daylight emerged, the region was left to contend with the extensive destruction. Rescues continued as stories of survival, like that of Juliano Sánchez who clung to palm trees for hours, contrasted with the ongoing search for numerous missing persons. Survivors expressed helplessness against the overwhelming force of nature, recounting horrific scenes and confirming that they had never witnessed anything like this before in Valencia.
