Spain: Death toll continues to rise in Valencia amid severe weather across parts of country as of Nov. 1 /update 5

Authorities have reported at least 205 deaths and many others remain missing following severe flooding across parts of Spain as of Nov. 1. The majority of the deaths, 202, have occurred in parts of Valencia Autonomous Community, with parts of Andalusia, Aragon, Castile-La Mancha, and Catalonia autonomous communities and parts of the Balearic Islands also affected by flooding in recent days. A storm system has been bringing showers and storms across much of Peninsular Spain and the Balearic Islands since Oct. 28, and some areas of Valencia received more than 40 cm (16 inches) of rainfall on Oct. 29, triggering flash flooding in affected areas. Widespread damage has been reported, and significant disruptions are ongoing. More than 180,000 mobile phone customers and around 70,000 landline customers remain affected by service outages across the country. Power outages and water supply disruptions are ongoing across many affected municipalities.

In Valencia, at least 62 fatalities have been reported in Paiporta, 13 in La Torre and Castellar, and dozens of others across other affected parts of the region. Emergency services have carried out more than 3,400 rescue operations since Oct. 29 due to people trapped by flooding and many people remain isolated as of Nov. 1. Many buildings, roads, and other infrastructure have been submerged or damaged by the flooding. Around 40,000 people remain without power across the province as of Nov. 1, down from around 155,000 in previous days. Officials have advised residents in Castellon and Valencia provinces that they should remain sheltered at home as the severe weather is still affecting the region. Civil protection authorities have also issued a warning advising people to avoid unnecessary travel on the region's roads to facilitate emergency response operations. Train services across much of Valencia remain suspended Nov. 1 due to flooded tracks, including services to both Madrid and Barcelona. Around 126 roads across the region have been affected by flooding and 39 remain closed as of Nov. 1. Schools and universities are closed across much of the region due to the severe weather.

In Andalusia, one fatality has been reported in Malaga Province and around 1,100 people have been rescued by emergency services across the region in recent days. Many roads in the region are closed due to flooding and debris, and authorities have advised people to avoid unnecessary travel. Two further fatalities have been reported in southeastern Castile-La Mancha and flooded roads, damage, and other flood-related disruptions have been reported in parts of Aragon and Catalonia. Flight delays have been reported at Palma de Mallorca (PMI) Nov. 1 due to heavy rainfall in the Balearic Islands.

The storm system is expected to bring further adverse weather to parts of the country over the coming days. As of Nov. 1, the State Meteorological Agency (Agencia Estatal de Meteorolgia, AEMET) has issued the following weather warnings across the country Nov. 1-3:

Nov. 1

• Red heavy rainfall warnings (the highest level on a three-tier scale): Coastal areas of Huelva Province in southwestern Andalusia Autonomous Community.

• Orange heavy rainfall warnings: Parts of western Andalusia and south Catalonia autonomous communities and across the Balearic Islands.

• Orange thunderstorm warnings: Coastal areas of Huelva Province in southwestern Andalusia Autonomous Community and across the Balearic Islands.

• Yellow heavy rainfall warnings: Parts of northwestern Andalusia, central, southern, and western Catalonia, southern Extremadura, and eastern and northern Valencia autonomous communities.

• Yellow thunderstorm warnings: Parts of western Andalusia, southern and south-central Catalonia, southern Extremadura, and northern Valencia autonomous communities.

Nov. 2

• Orange heavy rainfall warnings: Parts of southern Catalonia Autonomous Community and across the Balearic Islands.

• Orange thunderstorm warnings: Across the Balearic Islands.

• Yellow heavy rainfall warnings: Coastal and southern inland areas of Catalonia and parts of eastern and northern Valencia autonomous communities.

• Yellow thunderstorm warnings: Parts of southern Catalonia and northern Valencia autonomous communities.

• Yellow coastal warnings: Parts of the coast of Catalonia Autonomous Community.

Nov. 3

• Yellow heavy rainfall and thunderstorm warnings: Parts of southern Catalonia and far northern Valencia autonomous communities.

• Yellow coastal warnings: Parts of the coast of Andalusia Autonomous Community around the Strait of Gibraltar.

Authorities will likely issue new alerts or update/rescind existing advisories as weather conditions change over the coming hours and days. Further severe weather will likely exacerbate the situation in areas affected by flooding and lingering disruptions are expected in affected areas even after conditions improve.

Further sustained heavy rainfall could trigger additional flooding in low-lying communities near rivers, streams, and creeks. Urban flooding is also possible in developed areas with easily overwhelmed stormwater drainage systems. Sites downstream from large reservoirs or rivers may be subject to flash flooding after relatively short periods of intense rainfall. Landslides are possible in hilly or mountainous areas, especially where heavy rain has saturated the soil.

Authorities could issue mandatory evacuation orders for flood-prone communities over the coming days. Disruptions to electricity and telecommunications services are likely where significant flooding or landslides impact utility networks.

Floodwaters and debris flows will likely render some bridges or roadways impassable, impacting overland travel in and around affected areas. Ponding on road surfaces will cause hazardous driving conditions on regional highways. Authorities will probably temporarily close some low-lying routes that become inundated by floodwaters. Flooding will likely block regional rail lines; freight and passenger train delays and cancellations are probable in areas with heavy rainfall and potential track inundation.

Localized business disruptions are likely in low-lying areas; some businesses might not operate at full capacity because of flood damage to facilities, possible evacuations, and some employees' inability to reach work sites.