Hundreds Die In Spain’s Deadliest Flooding; Bishop Urges Christians To Maintain Faith (Worthy News Radio)
By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News
VALENCIA, SPAIN (Worthy News) – The Catholic archbishop of Spain’s flood-stricken Valencia region appealed to Christians on Friday to “maintain faith and hope” as authorities said the death toll from the nation’s worst flooding in recent memory rose to 205.
Archbishop Enrique Benavent said one of the most devastating storm systems to hit Spain over the last century “has been a truly shocking experience for all of us, both because of the magnitude of the tragedy and how quickly events unfolded.”
He added, “Even though the phone lines were still not working well yesterday, last night, I was able to confirm that all the priests are safe, which gives me a certain peace of mind.”
The archbishop added that Spain, a mainly Catholic nation, would see, “We have offered parish facilities that are in good condition to serve as places of solidarity and refuge.”
The church’s involvement in aid efforts came while residents in the hardest-hit Valencia region were warned to brace for more rain, and an additional 1,000 soldiers mobilized to help with rescue operations.
Rivers of mud-colored waters left a trail of devastation, as the deadliest flooding in Spain’s modern history has impacted countless people.
The state weather agency Aemet said four regions, including Valencia, remained on amber alert as adverse weather conditions are due to continue.
ACTS OF HEROISM
Days after the flash floods coursed across parts of the country, sweeping away bridges, cars, and streetlights, the number of missing people remains unknown.
Recent days have seen acts of heroism:
—A woman trapped in her house with her dog in the area of Utiel was airlifted to safety.
—People standing deep in muddy water trapped inside a store desperately tried to escape using a fire extinguisher.
—Footage also showed older people stranded in elderly homes.
The situation remains dire in many of the affected areas. Thousands remain without access to water or reliable food, while parts of the heaviest-hit areas remain inaccessible.
Earlier in the week, King Felipe VI oversaw coordination efforts at the Gando Air Base in Gran Canaria.
EXPRESSING SADNESS
He explained that “the main thing is to express condolences and sadness for the loss of so many human lives.”
The king added: “There has also been enormous destruction of infrastructure and material goods for very many people. He told reporters there are still difficulties accessing some. Therefore, there is still no complete information about the impact of the scope of the effects, including the possible victims.”
Flooding caused by record torrential rain began Tuesday, especially in the region of Valencia on the eastern coast.
The disaster was linked to a rare storm system known in Spain as a “DANA,” a Spanish acronym for “Depresión Aislada en Niveles Altos.” Eastern and southern Spain are particularly susceptible to the phenomenon due to its position between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. Warm, humid air masses and cold fronts meet in a region where mountains favor the formation of storm clouds and rainfall.
Most victims were reported as water left roads and towns underwater. Yet amid all the hardship, there were signs of hope as concerns over those still struggling turned into a show of solidarity.
Thousands of people from unaffected areas in the Valencia region – carrying shovels, food, and water – began turning up in the hardest-hit areas, offering help. As roads across the region remained blocked, they arrived by foot, often walking several kilometers to reach the devastated areas.
Authorities have now urged people to stay away as they overwhelm the rescue efforts.
Yet it signaled the concern and grief people shared with the tragedy’s victims. “This situation,” Archbishop Benavent said, “should be an opportunity for us to become more like brothers and sisters. Living with trust in God is essential, especially in such difficult times.”
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