In the wake of catastrophic flash floods that struck Valencia, a local woman has mobilized a group of volunteers to assist with rebuilding efforts following the disaster.
The torrential rains that hit the Spanish city at the end of October resulted in the deadliest flooding in modern Spanish history, claiming over 220 lives.
Eyewitness Accounts of Destruction
Zoe Wilkes, a 26-year-old resident from Taunton, Somerset, who has lived in Valencia for six years, witnessed the chaos firsthand.
She described how the floodwaters tossed cars around “like toys,” highlighting the sheer force of the deluge.
“It was just shocking. You couldn’t comprehend how strong the water must have been,” Wilkes recalled.
Within just ten minutes of receiving a flood alert on October 29, she observed streets submerged in fast-flowing muddy water.
“It was absolutely horrific; I don’t think anything can prepare you for seeing it with your own eyes,” she said.
“Every single street had 50 cars piled on top of each other, wedged between tree trunks and up in the branches. Pavements were completely ripped up, and houses were missing walls—debris was everywhere. It was completely bizarre and terrifying.”
Community Response
On the second day of the disaster, Wilkes and her sister ventured into the hardest-hit areas to offer help.
They were shocked by the lack of emergency services on the ground, with locals scrambling across rubble to rescue their loved ones.
“The locals said we were the first people that had come to help them; some people had been trapped for days,” she noted.
“Everyone knows someone who has lost someone or is missing. These communities are so close that if there are deaths, it affects everyone.”
Criticism of Government Response
The regional leader of Valencia has faced backlash for taking approximately 12 hours to respond to a red weather warning issued by Spain’s national meteorological office, Aemet.
Wilkes remarked that the widespread alert sent directly to people’s phones came “far too late,” after significant damage had already occurred.
“I don’t want to be too political, but the government really failed us somewhere here,” she stated.
“People were outside when they shouldn’t have been. I think everyone feels very let down and traumatized, understandably.”
Volunteer Efforts and Future Plans
In response to the devastation, Wilkes has organized around 60 volunteers to assist with cleanup and recovery efforts, providing food and emergency supplies to those affected by the floods.
The group plans to use funds raised through donations to help restore homes and livelihoods.
“This is just the beginning of something that is absolutely massive,” she said. “It’s going to take years and years to recover from this.”
As Valencia begins to heal from this tragedy, community resilience shines through as residents come together to support one another in their time of need.
Source: MSN
