Following devastating floods in eastern Spain that have claimed at least 207 lives, the City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia has been transformed into the command center for the cleanup operation.
This arts and science hub, usually a venue for opera performances, is now serving as the focal point for coordinated volunteer efforts organized by regional authorities.
On Saturday, numerous volunteers gathered at the center to receive guidelines on how to efficiently assist those affected by the heavy rains and flooding.
This first organized cleanup comes after a spontaneous influx of volunteers complicated access for professional emergency services, prompting authorities to establish a more structured plan for deployment.
Carlos Mazon, the Valencian regional president, announced on social media that a volunteer center would open early Saturday to streamline the organization of assistance.
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez was also scheduled to address the nation regarding the situation.
In some of the hardest-hit areas, looting has emerged as a concern, with reports of individuals resorting to theft due to shortages of food and water. Authorities have arrested 27 people for theft in the Valencia region.
As of Friday, utility company Iberdrola reported that over 90% of households in Valencia had restored power, although thousands still remain without electricity in isolated areas where rescuers are struggling to reach.
To aid in the search for missing persons and support survivors, approximately 2,000 soldiers have been deployed.
The severe weather has prompted renewed alerts in the Balearic Islands, Catalonia, and Valencia, where more rain is anticipated over the weekend.
Officials warn that the death toll may continue to rise, marking this incident as Spain’s worst flood-related disaster in over fifty years and the deadliest to strike Europe since the 1970s.
