“A Year’s Worth of Rainfall in a Few Hours”: ADRA Rushes to Spain’s Aid
7 November 2024 |
Last week the eastern peninsula of Spain was hit with deadly flooding, resulting in at least 217 lives lost, according to the most recent count on November 4. The flooding was the result of a DANA, which is a Spanish acronym for a weather phenomenon where the air pressure reaches severe levels in an isolated area, causing overcast skies, high winds, and torrential rain. Spain hasn’t experienced a DANA since 1967, with some meteorologists saying it is the most devastating natural disaster this year. “On Tuesday (October 29), some areas received the equivalent of a year’s worth of rainfall in just a few hours, triggering massive floods that devastated entire towns and left thousands of people stranded. In some areas, rainfall reached up to 20 inches (500 liters per square meter).”
ADRA quickly jumped into action, declaring a state of emergency and calling on surrounding areas to donate their time and basic needs such as hygiene products, food, and clothing. Adventist Today contacted pastors and leaders in Spain, such as Oscar Lopez Teulé, president of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Spain, and Olga Calonge, director of ADRA Spain, to hear reports on the damage. The structural damage and material loss have been extensive, with bodies still being recovered from the wreckage. Many areas have been unreachable due to crushed buildings, cars pushed and flipped due to flooding, and the underwater regions.
Director Calonge stated, “There are still localities that have not been accessible, so the magnitude of the disaster is unknown. For now, the communication is that there are no victims among our members, only the loss of cars, flooded houses, and businesses that were a source of work for some members. ADRA is identifying the families affected by this situation. In Valencia, we have many churches in the affected areas.”
The Sagunto Adventist Campus has sustained minor damage from a fallen tree but has no casualties. The campus is being used as a collection center for ADRA, collecting donations and acting as a base of operations where ADRA officials and volunteers from the Campus gather. Calonge shared plans to help clean up surrounding towns and transport aid through ADRA vehicles. The community has rallied behind the humanitarian organization, working to assess the aftermath and address immediate needs.
