2024 Spanish floods

2024 Spanish floods
Aftermath of the floods at Sedaví, Horta Sud, with many wooden structures destroyed, numerous trees downed, and much of the area covered with mud
Date29 October 2024 (2024-10-29) – 8 November 2024 (2024-11-08)
LocationSpain (especially the Valencian Community, Castilla–La Mancha, and Andalusia)
CauseCold drop
Deaths222
Missing23
Property damage~3.5 billion euros (~$3.8 billion)

On 29 October 2024, torrential rain caused by an isolated low-pressure area at high levels brought over a year's worth of precipitation to several areas in eastern Spain, including the Valencian Community, Castilla–La Mancha, and Andalusia. The resulting floodwaters caused the deaths of 222 people,[1] with 23 missing[2][3] and substantial property damage.[4][5] It is one of the deadliest natural disasters in Spanish history.[6]

Though similar torrential rain events had happened in the past in the region, the flooding was likely more intense due to climate change, and the poor disaster response of the regional and national governments likely aggravated the human cost of the event. After the flooding, thousands of volunteers from all around the country and numerous nonprofit organizations mobilized to help with cleanup and recovery.

  1. ^ L. B. (8 November 2024). "El Gobierno eleva a 223 los fallecidos en España, 215 de ellos en Valencia". 20 Minutos (in Spanish). Retrieved 8 November 2024.
  2. ^ Domínguez, Teresa (7 November 2024). "Los desaparecidos por la DANA en Valencia suben a 93". El Periódico (in Spanish). Retrieved 7 November 2024.
  3. ^ Santos, Almudena (6 November 2024). "Ascienden a 93 los casos activos de desaparecidos en Valencia por la DANA". Las Provincias (in Spanish). Retrieved 7 November 2024.
  4. ^ Evans, Holly; Cobham, Tara; Croft, Alex (2 November 2024). "Spain floods latest: 5,000 more soldiers deployed as satellite photos show extent of devastation". The Independent. Retrieved 2 November 2024.
  5. ^ Jones, Sam (2 November 2024). "Spain floods: 10,000 troops and police drafted in to deal with disaster". The Guardian. Retrieved 2 November 2024.
  6. ^ "Spain's deadliest floods in decades: Death toll reaches 205 as temporary morgue opens". ITVX. 1 November 2024. Retrieved 1 November 2024.