At least 51 people have died in Spain from devastating flash floods, authorities say
Associated PressNOV 2024
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.
There is a 50% chance that the rate of people (per 100,000) affected by natural disasters will be 2.81K in 2025, 4.04K in 2032, and 5.15K in 2052, according to the Metaculus prediction community.