Spain: Floods Leave Almost 100 Dead, Search and Rescue Underway
Spain: Worst Floods in a Century Leave Almost 100 Dead, Search and Rescue Underway
The Facts
At least 95 people are dead following severe flooding in eastern and southern Spain. The worst hit was eastern Valencia, which endured a historic 'cold drop,' or when autumnal cold air from the north moves over the warm water of the Mediterranean.
It was reportedly the country's worst natural disaster in decades, with areas like teh suburb Barrio de la Torre experiencing a year's worth of rainfall in eight hours, cars stacked on top of each other, trees uprooted, downed powerlines, and most of the deaths.
The Spin
Despite weather reports warning of immediate danger, many people didn't receive emergency alerts until they were trapped in their cars and homes. There is no excuse for the government not to have issued alerts earlier, closed down public services, and canceled classes. If such policies were in place, many lives could've been saved.
While criticism of the local government is understandable, it's important to recognize how unprecedentedly fast this storm appeared. Thanks to climate change, the 'cold drop' phenomenon was exacerbated by the warming ocean temperatures, which allowed for such an unusual amount of rainfall in just eight hours. These storms will continue until climate change is mitigated.
This was the result of ignored infrastructure needs and poor urban planning, not climate change. Following a flood in 1957, Valencia took profound action by diverting the Turia River to prevent future flooding. Sadly, it then allowed unchecked development in flood-prone zones, resulting in tragedies like this. Valencia has dealt with flooding for centuries, so blaming climate change will do nothing but let politicians off the hook for their dismal mismanagement.