Survivors of last week’s flash floods in Valencia have started leaving the region after “losing confidence” that the government will rebuild their homes and protect them from future disasters.

The search for survivors in the worst storm to hit Europe in decades is continuing one week after Valencia was ravaged by torrential rain, killing more than 200 people.

A massive clean-up operation remains under way, with police continuing to search a car park in Valencia after fears bodies may be trapped in vehicles that are still submerged in water.

One week on from the devastating floods, anger is turning into despondency, leaving some residents feeling as if they have no choice but to pack up and leave.

‘Like returning to the stone age’

Tobias ten Haaf, a Dutch entrepreneur, lost his house in the town of Picanya, which was ravaged when the Poyo river burst its banks last Tuesday.

Located just 15 minutes from the beach and 20 minutes from the mountains, Mr ten Haaf told The Telegraph he, his Mexican-born wife and their two-month-old son were “very happy” living in their “dream location”.