On October 29th 2024, a cold front ran through Valencia, Spain, causing flash flooding and hundreds of deaths. In the most affected areas, there were 500 liters of rain per square meter translating into 40 gallons of water per foot. According to meteorologists from the Aemet, this is the amount of rain that this area receives in a full year. This quantity of water resulted in streets and ground floors of buildings in Valencia and surrounding towns such as Paiporta, Catarroja, Aljamesi and many more to be completely underwater.
The cause behind flash flooding in Spain is a mass of air that is released from a cold current in the Atlantic Ocean. When this air collides with warm air of the Mediterranean Sea, it produces alterations in the atmosphere resulting in very intense precipitations and in this case, strong winds and tornadoes. According to experts of the AME (Asociacion of Meteorology of Spain) not all cold fronts create such severe alterations in the climate. One of the causes for the increase in intensity and frequency of cold fronts is climate change.
Residents of Valencia and other areas of the Comunitat Valenciana, claimed that “there would have been many deaths avoided if there would have been proper preparation”. The civil protection notification the locals received through their phones arrived hours after the rain had started to flood the streets. When the alarm went off at 8:00 pm, many were already trapped inside buildings and hundreds of cars were being dragged by water with drivers inside.
Since the storm has passed, 227 have been confirmed dead, 14 people have disappeared, and 78 townships have been affected by the storm. Victims have found themselves without their homes, businesses, and without a way to get food to feed their families. Due to the lack of prevention and professional help, the Government of Spain and the Government of Valencia have both been questioned. Carlos Mazon, President of the Valencian dismissed the intensity of the storm, despite Meteorologists from the Statal Agency of Meteorology (Aemet) having already activated a state of emergency. In addition, locals have expressed their frustration with the lack of aid and assistance in the days following the tragic October 29. Small and isolated villages were abandoned for days without food, running water, or appropriate machinery to clear the streets.
Despite this event quickly spreading and becoming worldwide news, it hasn’t seemed most of the people at BHS. Spanish teacher at BHS Mr. Daben states that he had been “following the events very closely by listening to Spanish radio and watching the news.” Another teacher Ms. Whitlock explains how she found out “through listening to NPR and reading news on the internet.” However, other students and teachers were unaware of the occurrence. “I don’t know anything about it,” says student Bianca Chaparro ‘28.
This cold front has become one the most intense meteorological events in the history of Spain, but unfortunately, due to the direct causes of climate change, these storms will only increase in frequency and intensity, becoming more and more destructive each time.
