Spain: Bodies found as severe flash floods hit Valencia and other southern and eastern areas

CNN
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Several bodies were found after parts of southern and eastern Spain were hit by severe flash floods on Tuesday, with up to 30cm of rain falling in just a few hours in some places.

Footage from the city of Valencia showed mud-colored water flowing through the streets, tearing down walls and sweeping away parked cars.

Valencia regional director Carlos Mazon told reporters early Wednesday that some bodies had been found as rescue teams began reaching areas previously cut off by the floods.

“Unfortunately we can confirm that some bodies have already been found, but out of respect for the families we will not provide further details,” Mazon said.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said an unspecified number of people were missing due to the flooding and urged citizens to act with “great caution” and not move unless necessary.

According to the Palace of La Moncloa, the Spanish government set up a crisis committee on Tuesday. It will be headed by Sánchez and will, from Wednesday, coordinate the work of the Civil Guard, the National Police, the General Directorate of Civil Protection and the Military Emergency Unit.

According to the Spanish weather agency AEMET, extreme rain warnings were in effect for some areas on Tuesday, including around Valencia. These warnings were for a possible rainfall of 200 mm (4 inches) in less than 12 hours.

In some places, rainfall estimates were exceeded in even shorter periods. According to the European Severe Weather Database, 320 mm of rain fell in Chiva, east of Valencia, in just over four hours.

In the Valencia area, the average value for the entire month of October is 77 mm (3.03 inches).

Flooding was also reported in and around Murcia and Malaga, with over 100 mm (4 inches) of rain falling in some of these areas.

A strong upper-level low pressure system is moving north from Africa into the region. The strong system brings a significant level of atmospheric instability to the region. Extreme rainfall is also enhanced by moisture from the Mediterranean and slope runoff to higher ground, pushing out additional moisture.

According to AEMET, rainfall warnings for parts of eastern and southern Spain are in effect until Wednesday. The warnings north of Valencia are for rainfall totals of more than 100 mm (4 inches) and rainfall rates of 30 mm per hour (1.18 inches per hour).

The risk of heavy rain will continue until the end of the week in areas of southwest Spain.