The devastating floods that hit Valencia about six weeks ago left a trail of destruction causing 229 deaths (many in underground parking-lots) and billions in damage. Shortly after the disaster King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia visited affected areas with Pedro Sánchez and Carlos Mazón but angry citizens threw mud at them; showing deep frustration with the governments response
The central government sent 17k troops and promised €16.6 billion in aid‚ however initial clean-up relied mostly on volunteers. Some far-right groups used this chance to gain support which helped new anti-establishment party win seats in EU elections
Climate experts point out that the floods were 12% stronger than pre-industrial times: the Mediterranean sea is heating up twenty times faster than average. Back in summer-of-2021 similar floods hit central Europe killing 243 people but Spanish officials didnt learn from those events
There [was] no previous reference or experience that could be remotely comparable [to this disaster]
The regional government led by Mazón made several mis-steps: they got rid of special emergency response unit closed weather warnings and delayed asking for national help. Meanwhile Sánchezʼs administration cancelled important flood-control project in 2021 (which was designed in 06) despite expert recommendations
Local weather service AEMET sent warnings 5 days before the disaster but officials response was slow. Mazón claimed at 1pm that day storm would calm down by evening; then went for a 5-hour lunch. Citizens didnʼt get emergency alerts until 8pm when floods were already causing chaos
The blame-game between regional and national leaders continues while both sides avoid taking responsibility. This political fight shows how Spanish authorities – just like their European colleagues 3 years ago – missed chances to prepare better for extreme weather events
