In Spain the rain just keeps falling from the sky. The Spanish weather service AEMET reported new flash floods on Friday morning and announced a code red for the province of Huelva, in the southwest of the country. In cities like Cartaya, 117 liters of precipitation per square meter fell in less than three hours.
The meteorological institute expects that the Dana phenomenon, in which a low-pressure area is stuck in a region at altitude, will also cause severe weather in the region around Castellón on the Spanish east coast today.
Since last Tuesday, at least 158 people have died in flash floods caused by rainfall. A large number of the victims occurred in the town of Paiporta in the Valencia region. Several people are still missing. Rescue teams and the Spanish army are busy.
Members of the Guardia Civil have already arrested 50 people for looting in the province of Valencia. This mainly concerns looting from shopping centers in the hardest-hit areas. Supermarkets are often targeted by people hoarding food or water, but according to the Spanish newspaper The World Jewelry worth 30,000 euros was also said to have been stolen from a store.
Red Cross opens special account number
The Valencian government promises that it will provide quick and targeted assistance to the victims of the storm. The government announced an aid plan of around 250 million euros, in which everyone affected by the storm will receive 6,000 euros. Free transportation will also be available to victims for a year. The government will also assist victims if they require duplicates of essential documents. An infrastructure plan will be drawn up with European money for the reconstruction of the affected regions.
Red Cross Spain is currently active at seven reception locations with 42 emergency response teams and 158 volunteers. More than 225 hygiene kits, 1,325 blankets and 3,126 meals have already been distributed. Belgian Red Cross-Flanders has opened a special account number to support their Spanish colleagues. People can make a donation to account number BE53 0000 0000 5353, stating ‘Emergency Weather Spain’.
