Flash floods killed at least 72 people across eastern Spain, Spanish authorities said on Wednesday, after more than a month’s worth of rain fell in less than 24 hours in some areas. The floods, after heavy rain started Monday, were some of the country’s worst in decades.
The death toll is expected to rise as some people are still missing, and more rain is forecast.
Villages in the hardest hit region, Valencia, were submerged and roads turned into powerful, muddy rivers. Videos shared online by residents and emergency services showed cars piling up as they were swept away by rushing water. In one, a woman and her dog are lifted to safety from neck-high waters by a helicopter crew.
Here’s what to know about the floods:
Where are the floods?
The floods were worst in eastern and southern Spain, including in areas that often see autumn rains. But some residents said they were shocked by the amount of rainfall this week.
The vast majority of the people who have been reported killed were in Valencia, a coastal region that includes the city of the same name. The city of Valencia, a popular tourist destination, reported considerable damage, with flooding on major roads and in the subway system.