Unbelievable the tragedy that occurs in Valencia, Spain, in some areas fell 491 mm of rain in just eight hours yesterday, rainfall equivalent to the rain of an entire year! At least 158 are dead and dozens more missing while estimated damages from the severe weather will exceed €1 billion. Spain declares national mourning.
HDN Newsroom
At least 158 people have died from flooding in southeastern Spain, according to the country's rescue services.The previous official toll of the authorities, on Wednesday, put the death toll at 95, while shortly before, Spanish media, citing government sources, put the death toll at least 140.
The worst floods in three decades mainly swept through the Valencia region, leaving behind towns and roads submerged. Torrents caused chaos, toppled bridges and swept away cars.
According to the Spanish Meteorological Service, parts of Valencia received 491mm of rain in just eight hours yesterday, equivalent to the rain of an entire year. Rescue teams are still using drones to locate missing people in the mud.
The system that caused the deadly floods in southeastern Spain is weakening, but that doesn't mean rainfall is stopping. It is estimated that the new rains expected in the coming hours will worsen conditions on muddy soils, thus complicating investigations and clean-up efforts.
Weather warnings remain in place. In particular, a "red" warning has been issued for further heavy rainfall in the eastern coastal province of Castellón in the north of Valencia, while an "orange" warning has been issued for Tarragona and "yellow" warnings for the entire region of Valencia, Aragon, western Andalusia and Extremadura.
Morningstar DBRS estimates that insured losses from the severe weather events that hit Spain on October 29 will exceed €1 billion.
