Spain Flooding among Global Extreme Weather Disasters, UN Warns

"Almost every week, we're witnessing these disturbing images," said World Meteorological Organization (WMO) spokesperson Clare Nullis during a UN briefing. She described the "lethal record-breaking rainfall and flash floods" that struck Spain, leading to dozens of fatalities, widespread damage, and significant economic losses, as the latest instance in a global series of devastating flood events.

Nullis highlighted that the world now faces recurring issues of excessive or insufficient water, emphasizing that as the climate warms, every degree increase allows the air to hold 7% more moisture. This contributes to extreme rainfall, a point supported by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which has linked rising temperatures to more frequent and severe floods and droughts.

"Similar intense storms have impacted the Mediterranean in the past, underscoring the region's vulnerability," Nullis said. Recent storms released a year's worth of rain in just hours in Spain’s Valencia region, causing rivers to overflow and turning streets into fast-moving rivers.

Omar Baddour, WMO's chief of climate monitoring, noted the region’s susceptibility to severe storms, particularly toward the summer's end. "What occurred in Spain, Portugal, North Morocco, and France, with cold air settling over a small area, created atmospheric instability," he explained, leading to concentrated, powerful downpours. "Such phenomena are common across the Mediterranean and have led to several past disasters."

In response, Spain’s government declared three days of national mourning as affected areas, particularly parts of Valencia, remain isolated. On Friday, Defense Minister Margarita Robles acknowledged that some regions were still unreachable three days after the storm hit. Thousands remain without electricity, drinking water, or food, while many are trapped in their homes, with cars and debris blocking exits.

Robles announced an additional 500 troops had been deployed, with more expected to follow. “If it requires the entire 120,000-member army, we will do it,” she said in an interview with RTVE, stressing the need for immediate rescue, recovery, and support efforts. “It’s not just numbers—there’s so much to do, from locating people and opening roads to psychological aid, which is urgently needed amid such loss.”

An unknown number of people are still missing. Sedavi’s mayor, Jose Francisco Cabanes, appealed for immediate assistance, warning of potential health risks if bodies remain unrecovered. "The army is using drones in inaccessible areas," Robles added. "This damage is unprecedented. Piles of vehicles may contain victims—families. The tragedy is overwhelming; we're doing everything possible."

The storm, among Spain's deadliest natural disasters, released nearly a year’s rainfall in hours, transforming streets into turbulent rivers. Many residents were caught off guard, some trying to move their cars to higher ground or unaware of the flood’s severity. By the time emergency alerts reached phones, significant damage had already occurred. Emergency services were inundated, and response efforts Tuesday night were hindered by extreme weather.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez pledged comprehensive support for recovery, while the European Union promised assistance in reconstruction. Spain's Transport Minister Oscar Puente reported that around 80 km (50 miles) of highways and roads had been destroyed, with the main Valencia-Madrid highway expected to reopen in ten days. The high-speed rail between Madrid and Valencia will likely remain closed for two weeks, affecting 100,000 ticket holders this weekend. Puente added that local train services may take months to restore.

"The situation is critical, with many areas inaccessible by any vehicle type," Puente said, stressing that the focus remains on missing persons and the human tragedy.

The storm remains active, causing additional but less severe flooding across Spain since Tuesday. Spain’s meteorological agency, AEMET, issued a red alert for heavy rain in Andalusia’s Huelva area on Friday, with much of Spain's Mediterranean coast also under alert for ongoing storms.