Cars are being swept away by the water, after floods preceded by heavy rains caused the river to overflow its banks in the town of Alora, Malaga, Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024.(Image: AP)

Spain weather: At least 51 dead and dozens missing after severe flash floods destroy parts of Valencia

by · Irish Mirror

Dozens have tragically lost their lives and many more are unaccounted for following catastrophic flash floods in the Valencia region, as Spain is reeling from unprecedented freak weather that's set to persist. Apocalyptic scenes have emerged with muddy torrents inundating areas such as Malaga and the east coast all the way to Valencia, causing at least 51 fatalities as reported by regional emergency services.

Social media is awash with harrowing clips and photos depicting cars being devoured by the surging floodwaters. Concern is mounting for more potential victims still missing in these ravaged zones.

Utiel's Mayor, Ricardo Gabaldon, conveyed to RTVE that numerous individuals had been stuck inside their homes.

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In response to the chaos, police and flying squads have been plucking residents from their swamped residences and vehicles. The Spanish military has also rallied roughly 1,000 of its personnel, forming an emergency brigade to fortify rescue operations, reports the Mirror.

Authorities are likewise cautioning that the provision of potable water could be compromised due to the deluge.

In a heartfelt social media message, Carlos Mazón, head of the Generalitat exclaimed: "These are very difficult times for relatives and missing persons. In the next few hours we will confirm the number of victims, but right now it is still impossible to provide an exact figure. We are dismayed.

"We reiterate the importance of NOT travelling by road, both in the province of Valencia and in Castellón. The telephone number for assistance to relatives of missing persons is activated. We have started to rescue, we have started to access places that until very recently were inaccessible, and we continue to work."

People look at the rising river, after floods preceded by heavy rains caused the river to overflow its banks in the town of Alora, Malaga, Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024.(Image: AP)
Cars are partly submerged in flood waters on October 29, 2024 on the western outskirts of Valencia, Spain.(Image: Getty Images)

One video from the scene showed a woman being rescued from severe flooding at her home, gripping her pet dog tightly as teams worked to winch her to a helicopter.

Terrifying footage overnight showed the water surging through a street.

In Malaga, a high-speed train with nearly 300 people on board derailed. Although no one was hurt in the incident, it has brought some travel to a standstill.

The national government office for the Castilla La Mancha region told radio channel Cadena Ser six people in the region were missing.

Spanish news agency EFE said a truck driver was missing in L'Alcudia, a town in Valencia.

Storms were forecast to continue through Thursday, according to Spain's national weather service. An emergency rescue brigade of Spain's army deployed to help rescue efforts.

People have been ordered to stay at home and avoid all non essential travel as the disaster continues to unfold.

British couple Vitalij Farafonov and his wife were stuck in their car for ten hours amid the confusion. They told Sky News: "It was mayhem as we counted nine or 10 overturned lorries on a half mile stretch of the motorway. We've never seen anything like it."

A car covered with mud is pictured on a flooded street in Alora, near Malaga, on October 29, 2024, after a heavy rain hit southern Spain.(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Cars are being swept away by the water, after floods preceded by heavy rains caused the river to overflow its banks in the town of Alora, Malaga, Spain, Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024.(Image: AP)

Valencia CF has stepped up to offer assistance in "any way possible" amid the havoc caused by severe rain, prompting the club to request that its Copa Del Ray clash tonight be delayed. The club issued a statement on X, saying: "Due to heavy rain and storms, the Generalitat, through the Emergency Coordination Center, recommends avoiding any type of travel in the province of Valencia.

"We make ourselves available to the authorities and municipalities affected to help in any way possible. Valencia has requested to postpone the match the team had planned to play tomorrow in Madrid against Parla Escuela."

Spain's battle with similar autumn tempests in recent times comes back into focus, especially as the country moves past a severe drought this year due to the rains.

Scientists reckon we're seeing more instances of such extreme weather patterns now more than ever, probably a result of climate change.

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