The Valencian government’s apparently slow reaction to the unfolding catastrophe is now under scrutiny. In an interview with POLITICO on Wednesday, an official from Spain’s national government questioned why Mazón’s administration, which has the statutory responsibility to lead crisis management in the region, had waited until 8 p.m. on Tuesday night to issue text alerts to people, many of whom were caught unaware by the rushing water.
As of Thursday evening, at least 155 deaths were confirmed in Valencia, but authorities say the toll could climb higher as floodwaters recede.
Chronicle of a flood foretold
On Friday, Oct. 25, Spain’s government meteorologists started warning of a potentially historic rainstorm. AEMET, the country’s meteorological agency, issued an information note that the combination of a low-pressure system and easterly winds carrying humid air from the Mediterranean toward the Spanish coast would bring heavy rains, “most likely on Tuesday 29,” though they weren’t sure yet where exactly it would fall.
Throughout the weekend, AEMET’s warnings became increasingly accurate and more urgent, pinpointing Valencia and predicting the rain would begin Monday, followed by up to three months’ worth of rain in a single day on Tuesday.
By Monday, the agency issued an “orange” weather warning for several regions, including Valencia. That afternoon, AEMET sent another bulletin. On its social media, the agency warned of “significant danger.”
The local government was well aware. At lunchtime Monday, the Valencian interior ministry issued a press release warning of an extreme rainstorm and likely floods, asking the region’s municipalities to stay on alert and activate preventative measures.
