This flood is linked to a phenomenon of “cold drop“, an isolated depression at altitude quite common in autumn on the Spanish Mediterranean coast, probably aggravated by global warming, according to scientists, a warmer atmosphere can contain more humidity and make precipitation heavier.
With 210 deaths, the Valencia region was hit hardest. Two people also died in the neighboring region of Castile-la-Mancha and one in Andalusia.
Searching car wrecks
It’s about “the largest natural disaster in the recent history of our country“, said Mr. Sanchez, who accompanied King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia to the affected regions on Sunday.
According to the government, a Spanish Navy amphibious ship including operating theaters and carrying helicopters and vehicles is expected in the port of Valencia.
Authorities expect the toll to rise as car wrecks piled up in tunnels and underground parking lots in the worst-hit areas are now methodically examined.
If the chances of finding survivors are diminishing, the priority of soldiers and police remains according to the executive the search for the missing, with the restoration of roads and infrastructure to allow the delivery of aid and the restoration of essential services.
According to the authorities, more than 2,000 damaged cars and trucks have already been removed. Electricity has also been restored to 94% of residents who had been deprived of it, and telecommunications are gradually being restored.
“There is nothing left”
In the suburbs of Valencia, search and cleaning operations continued on Saturday, in a heavy atmosphere.
“There is nothing left“, Mario Silvestre, a resident of Chiva, told AFPresigned” at the sight of the damage.
In his commune, where some 17,000 inhabitants live, there are no soldiers, but numerous civil guards responsible for patrolling the streets where many houses are destroyed. “Politicians promise a lot but help only arrives when it arrives“, breathes this octogenarian.
Saturday evening during a press conference, the conservative president of the Valencia region, Carlos Mazon, announced a battery of economic aid and promised the return of order, while acts of looting were reported in several stores, leading to the arrest of 82 people.
“There are people who may have felt alone, helpless, unprotected and I understand that.“, recognized the elected official. But “I want to send a clear message, we will help all households” which require it, he continued: “we are facing the challenge of our life and we are going to find the solutions“.
The regional government of Valencia, and Carlos Mazon in particular, are the subject of criticism for having sent a telephone alert message to residents late on Tuesday, when the meteorological services had placed the region in “red alert“in the morning.
Criticisms rejected by Mr. Mazon, who ensures that he followed the protocol in force and highlighted on Saturday “the spirit of solidarity of the population” of his region in the face of adversity
