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Spain has been devastated by historic floods that have killed more than 200 people

At least 205 people have been reported dead after historic flash floods hit Spain this week following torrential rain, according to local emergency authorities. Officials expect that number to continue to rise as emergency services were still unable to reach some areas because piled-up cars and flood debris blocked roads.

Another 500 soldiers, in addition to the 1,200 already on the ground, have been sent by the Spanish government to help survivors and search for those still missing.

A year's worth of rain fell in eight hours on Tuesday night, causing rivers to overflow their banks. It is Spain's worst flood disaster in modern history and the deadliest in Europe since the 1970s, when catastrophic floods in Romania killed 209 people.

The floods tossed vehicles around, collapsed bridges and covered towns in the Valencia region with thick, dense mud.

Below you will find photos of the aftermath of the flooding.

A woman walks past several piled-up cars in the muddy water.

A woman walks past piled-up cars after flooding in Massanassa, just outside Valencia, on Friday. (Alberto Saiz/AP)

Two dozen cars lie on the road along with other debris.Two dozen cars lie on the road along with other debris.

Cars piled up on the road with other debris after flash floods hit the Valencia region. (David Ramos/Getty Images)

A boy uses a broom to help remove mud from the road.A boy uses a broom to help remove mud from the road.

A boy helps clear mud from the road after flooding in Massanassa on Friday. (Alberto Saiz/AP)

A man sweeps away half a dozen cars stacked on top of each other and lots of debris.A man sweeps away half a dozen cars stacked on top of each other and lots of debris.

A man sweeps near piled-up cars in Massanassa on Friday. (Alberto Saiz/AP)

A woman rests on a low muddy wall as residents and volunteers clean up a flood-affected area.A woman rests on a low muddy wall as residents and volunteers clean up a flood-affected area.

A woman rests as residents and volunteers clean up a flood-affected area in Paiporta, near Valencia, on Friday. (Alberto Saiz/AP)

A man carries household appliances out of a flooded building.A man carries household appliances out of a flooded building.

A man carries household appliances out of a building in Massanassa on Friday. (Alberto Saiz/AP)

People use buckets to remove mud from the road.People use buckets to remove mud from the road.

On Friday, people in the town of Massanassa remove mud from the street. (Jose Jordan/AFP via Getty Images)

People in a truck distribute water and other supplies to citizens on the street.People in a truck distribute water and other supplies to citizens on the street.

Water and other supplies are shared on the streets on Friday after floods devastated the town of Paiporta in eastern Spain. (Manaure Quintero/AFP)

A woman looks out of a door. The mud outside is several centimeters deep.A woman looks out of a door. The mud outside is several centimeters deep.

A woman at the entrance to her house on Friday in Paiporta. (Jose Jordan/AFP via Getty Images)

Volunteers load a vehicle with supplies to be distributed in flood-affected areas.Volunteers load a vehicle with supplies to be distributed in flood-affected areas.

Volunteers load a vehicle with supplies to be distributed in areas affected by flooding in Valencia on Friday. (Eva Manez/Reuters)

A woman walks down a muddy road.A woman walks down a muddy road.

A woman walks down a muddy street on Friday, observing the devastating effects of flooding in the town of Paiporta. (Manaure Quintero/AFP)

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