Spain is reeling from one of its deadliest natural disasters, as catastrophic floods between Tuesday and Wednesday claimed at least 155 lives in the southeast. Valencia was hit hardest, with 115,000 residents left without power and 120,000 without phone service as of Wednesday evening. Thousands have been displaced, and dozens remain missing as rescue operations struggle to navigate submerged roads and wrecked cars scattered by the force of the floodwaters.
The Spanish Ministry of the Interior confirmed that 92 fatalities occurred within the Valencian Community alone, with two additional victims found in the Castile-La Mancha region. One of these casualties was reported in Albacete, where at least five individuals remain unaccounted for. In Málaga, Andalusia, an Englishman tragically lost his life in the deluge.
Local media footage reveals the vast scope of devastation, showing fields and entire neighborhoods submerged. Major transportation routes, including rail links between Madrid and Valencia and between Valencia and Barcelona, have been suspended. Public transport across Valencia has ground to a halt, while 38 schools in Andalusia’s Cádiz province are closed due to flood damage or inaccessibility.
Survivors describe harrowing experiences, many forced to seek refuge on rooftops, trucks, or in shopping centers as torrents swept through streets. Dozens took shelter in Valencia’s Picassent prison, where they waited two days for rescue teams to clear a path to safety. The nation’s emergency hotline struggled under a surge of calls, while desperate pleas for help flooded social media.
As the crisis unfolded, criticism mounted over delayed public alerts. Though the national meteorological agency issued a red alert early Tuesday morning, an official warning was not broadcast until evening. While the central government declared a three-day national mourning period, Valencia’s local administration faces intense scrutiny for their response to the historic floods.
