Tragic Floods in Spain Leave 51 Dead as Region Receives Year’s Worth of Rain in Eight Hours

At least 51 people have been confirmed dead after unprecedented torrential rain caused catastrophic flash floods in south-eastern Spain. The town of Chiva, near Valencia, saw more than a year’s worth of rain fall in just eight hours, and local officials have expressed that it is “impossible” to determine the final death toll as the situation continues to unfold.

Dramatic footage shared on social media captures the devastation, with floodwaters collapsing bridges, dragging cars through streets, and forcing people to cling to trees to avoid being swept away. The floods have ravaged large parts of the country, with areas experiencing heavy rain and hailstorms that have triggered widespread flooding.

In response, over 1,000 troops have been deployed to aid in rescue operations, as many remain missing or trapped in flooded areas. Emergency crews are working tirelessly, using drones to search for those unaccounted for, particularly in the hard-hit municipality of Letur. Local official Milagros Tolon stressed the urgency of locating the missing, emphasizing that the priority is finding and rescuing people stranded in isolated areas.

King Felipe VI of Spain expressed his “devastation” over the disaster, extending heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims via a message on social media. Meanwhile, radio and TV stations have been inundated with pleas for assistance from people searching for missing loved ones or trapped in flood-stricken zones.

Authorities have established an emergency hotline, urging the public to call 9006 5112 to report missing individuals. Police and rescue teams continue to warn residents to stay indoors, stating that travel is not only unsafe but also obstructs rescue efforts.

The Spanish weather agency AEMET reported that Chiva recorded an astonishing 491mm of rainfall within eight hours on Tuesday, equating to a year’s worth of rain in a single day. Red alerts have been declared in the Valencia region, and parts of Andalusia remain under the second-highest weather alert level.

The floods have also disrupted transportation, with numerous flights scheduled to land in Valencia either diverted to other cities or canceled entirely. Additionally, all train services in the Valencia region have been suspended, according to Spain’s national rail infrastructure operator, ADIF.