Why Spain’s floods were so deadly – POLITICO

The apparently slow response of the Valencian government to the unfolding disaster is now under scrutiny. In an interview with POLITICO on Wednesday, asked an official of the Spanish national government why the Mazon administration, which is charged by law with crisis management in the region, waited until 8:00 p.m. Tuesday night to send text messages to people, many of whom were caught off guard by the raging waters.

At least 155 deaths were confirmed in Valencia as of Thursday evening, but authorities said the death toll could rise as floodwaters receded.

Chronicle of the prophesied flood

On Friday, October 25, Spanish government meteorologists began to warn a potentially historic downpour. AEMET, the country’s meteorological agency, released informational reference that a combination of a low pressure system and easterly winds bringing moist air from the Mediterranean to the Spanish coast would bring heavy rain, “most likely on Tuesday the 29th”, although they were not yet sure exactly where it would fall.

Over the weekend, AEMET’s warnings became increasingly precise and urgent, pinpointing Valencia and predicting rain to begin on Monday, followed by three months of rain in one day on Tuesday.

By Monday, the agency appears “orange” weather warning for several regions, including Valencia. That day AEMET sent another ballot. On its social networks, the agency warned of “significant danger.”

The local authorities knew this well. On Monday at lunchtime, the Ministry of the Interior of Valencia issued a warning in a press release of heavy rain and possible flooding, asking municipalities in the region to remain alert and activate preventive measures.