Spain floods latest: Frantic search for ‘many missing people’ as deaths set to rise and new storm forecast
Death toll continues to rise after worst flash floods in three decades swept Spanish region of Valencia
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Your support makes all the difference.Spanish emergency services are continuing their desperate search for survivors following devastating flash flooding, as many of those affected are warned to expect more torrential rain today.
Authorities fear that the death toll is set to rise from the 95 already killed as dozens of people in eastern and southern Spain remain missing.
Torrential rain – amounting to a year’s worth in just eight hours in some areas – inundated cities such as Valencia and Malaga, many found themselves “trapped like rats” in their homes and cars, surrounded by rapidly rising floodwaters.
Valencia has now been declared a “disaster zone” by Spanish prime minister Pedro Sanchez, who announced the measure as he visited some of the worst affected areas on Thursday.
Many affected are preparing for more extreme weather, as Spain’s meteorological service Aemet issued a series of fresh warnings - including the most severe kind - for Thursday.
Red alerts have been issued for the province of Castellon, which is expected to see up to 180mm of rain in 12 hours.
Have you been affected by this? Get in touch at athena.stavrou@independent.co.uk.
Floods in Spain: What we know so far
- At least 95 people have been killed after torrential rain led to flash floods in villages, towns and cities across eastern and southern Spain. Of those, 92 died in the Valencia region, while two were killed in the Castilla La Mancha provence and one died elsewhere.
- More than 1,000 soldiers from Spain’s emergency response unit have been deployed to the most devastated areas to help search for missing people, and to clear up the damage caused by the floods.
- Spanish prime minister Pedro Sanchez has warned the danger is not over despite rain having subsided in Valencia by late Wednesday morning, with the storm heading north. “For those who are looking for their loved ones, all of Spain feels your pain,” he said in a televised message.
- The project to rebuild towns and cities following the damage will be huge, said Mr Sanchez, who also hinted he could call on the help of European Union states. Germany, Portugal, and the EU have already offered their support.
- Spain’s state weather agency, AEMET, has issued alerts for regions in the south west and north east of the country, with heavy showers forecast.
Flights in Spain cancelled and lines restricted due DANA flooding
Enaire, Spain's air traffic management authority, has reported that airline operations are being impacted by the movement of the recent weather system toward western Andalucia and northeastern Spain.
Air traffic controllers have cancelled some flights, and restricted some at Barcelona-El Prat Airport.
Passengers planning to fly are advised to check with their airlines for updates.
Enaire said it is closely monitoring the weather forecasts from Aemet, which has issued an orange alert for heavy rainfall in Andalucia and the Valencia region for Wednesday.
Pictured: Trains to Madrid and Valencia suspended due to rail damage
Catalonia issues red alert for extreme risk in Barcelona
The catalan Meteorological service has issued a red alert for coastal regions due to the imminent threat of an extreme storm.
Four amber warnings have been issued for the Barcelonès, Vallès Oriental, Alt Penedès, and other areas.
Forecasts predict significant rainfall accumulations, hailstones larger than two centimetres, wind gusts exceeding 25 km/h, and potential tornadoes.
This red alert represents the highest level of danger on the meteorological warning scale.
Local authorities to urge residents to exercise extreme caution in the coming hours.
In pictures: Aftermath of DANA flooding as at least 63 confirmed dead
Barcelona on high alert as beaches closed over risk of tornado
Local police in Barcelona have issued a strong warning for residents to avoid driving and to clear flood-prone areas.
The Generalitat has forecast wind gusts exceeding 90 kilometers per hour and hailstones larger than two centimeters.
Meteocat, Catalonia’s meteorological agency, has announced it has now closed the access to beaches across the touristic city due to high risk of tornado and heavy rain.
The alert particularly affects local regions of Baix Llobregat and surrounding areas, including Garraf, Barcelonès, Vallès Occidental, and Alt Penedès.
In a social media message, the Mossos urged people to stay safe by avoiding unnecessary travel and steering clear of areas vulnerable to flooding.
Spanish town gets year worth of rain in just 8 hours
Heavy rainfall in the town of Chiba, Valencia, has recorded a record-breaking of 491 litres per square metre yesterday.
According to Spain’s meteorological agency, the town had this amount of rain in just eight hours yesterday.
Superstores used as refuge in Valencia for more than 700 displaced by DANA
An Ikea store in Alfafar, Valencia, has become a refuge for more than 700 people displaced by the recent DANA flooding.
The Civil Guard is facilitating the transfer of affected people to the store, according to local reports.
The store is providing essential supplies, including water, food, beds, and even dry clothing and uniforms.
An Ikea spokesperson from the region said: “The atmosphere inside our store is calm, despite the anxiety and uncertainty everyone is experiencing.”
Other Spanish supermarket, including Alcampo in Alboraya and El Corte Inglés in Valencia, have also provided overnight shelter for locals.
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