The death toll from flooding in southeastern Spain has risen, with at least 63 people now confirmed dead, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said Wednesday morning. Earlier reports had indicated 51 fatalities.
Scary fast-flowing flash floods through streets of Albacete, Spain today, these aren't rare incidents anymore, this is one of several Spanish communities quite far apart seeing streets turn into raging rivers yesterday, today & likely tomorrow too #flood pic.twitter.com/BXZuPwaoDB
— Nick's Weather Eye (@NickJF75) October 29, 2024
As the search continued for the missing, people were urged to stay off the roads amid warnings that the number of fatalities could rise.
Speaking on Wednesday morning, the president of the eastern region of Valencia said it was still too early to provide a comprehensive death toll.
Utiel, Valencia in Spain today….
— Volcaholic 🌋 (@volcaholic1) October 29, 2024
This is not normal #SpainFloods pic.twitter.com/VQwWi8piRr
The flooding was caused by a cold front moving across southern and eastern Spain, bringing torrential rains on Tuesday. Some areas received their typical monthly rainfall within just 24 hours, according to Spanish media.
People being rescued from the flooding in Valencia tonight. I dread to think how many people are still waiting. Emergency services must be inundated with SOS calls…pic.twitter.com/QfnedaBEUt
— Volcaholic 🌋 (@volcaholic1) October 30, 2024
Spain’s state meteorological service AEMET issued a red alert for the Valencia region, with areas like Turis and Utiel recording 200 millimetres of rainfall. Authorities advised residents to stay home and avoid unnecessary travel.
Social media footage showed people trapped in floodwaters, with some clinging to trees to avoid being swept away. A viral video appeared to show a tornado, a relatively rare phenomenon in Spain, though Reuters could not immediately verify its authenticity.
Tornado in region of Valencia, Spain
— Disasters Daily (@DisastersAndI) October 29, 2024
29.10.2024#tornado #twister #valencia pic.twitter.com/9gqJVC8tor
Spain is currently experiencing catastrophic flash flooding, especially across Andalucía, Murcia & Valencia
— ⚡️🌎 World News 🌐⚡️ (@ferozwala) October 29, 2024
4+ inches of rain are expected across the typically dry, arid landscape
Emergency services are working hard to manage the situation.#Spain #Flood pic.twitter.com/B7U369EgEA
Emergency response has been hampered by access difficulties, with radio and television stations receiving hundreds of calls for help from trapped residents or people searching for loved ones. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez expressed concern on X about the missing persons and damage, urging citizens to follow authorities’ guidance and avoid unnecessary travel.
Sigo de cerca y con preocupación las informaciones sobre las personas desaparecidas y los daños causados por la DANA en las últimas horas.
— Pedro Sánchez (@sanchezcastejon) October 29, 2024
Todos los servicios de emergencia, @proteccioncivil, @UMEgob y efectivos de @policia y @guardiacivil están desplegados ante el temporal.…
The flooding has caused significant disruption to transport, with all schools and public parks in Valencia closed. Twelve flights to Valencia airport were diverted and ten others cancelled, while infrastructure manager Adif suspended high-speed rail services between Madrid and Valencia due to the storm’s impact on key rail network points.
Climate scientists have warned floods will increase as the planet warms.
Ernesto Rodríguez Camino, senior state meteorologist and member of the Spanish Meteorological Association, said: “These types of intense and exceptional, rare rainfall events are going to become more frequent and more intense and, therefore, destructive”.
María José Sanz, scientific director of the BC3 Basque Centre for Climate Change, said hotter oceans meant there was more water in the atmosphere. Changes in the jet stream also appear to be keeping areas of low pressure in one place for longer.
The air can hold 7% more water for every degree Celsius the planet heats. The world has heated about 1.3C and Europe has warmed by about double that.
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