Spain flash floods

[James Curry]

Spare a thought for the 90+ people who have died in flash floods in the Valencia province of Spain.
The region expierenced one years rainfall in just 8 hours. Roads swept away , bridges and if you want a free car go and dig it out of the mud.
Yet again some will say nothing to do with climate change. Spain has been expierencing near drought conditions for 2years. Ideal conditions for flash floods as the ground is rock hard and does not retain the moisture.Literally 100's of homes destroyed swept away or badly damaged.

[Tony Taylor]

Spare a thought for the 90+ people who have died in flash floods in the Valencia province of Spain.
The region expierenced one years rainfall in just 8 hours. Roads swept away , bridges and if you want a free car go and dig it out of the mud.
Yet again some will say nothing to do with climate change. Spain has been expierencing near drought conditions for 2years. Ideal conditions for flash floods as the ground is rock hard and does not retain the moisture.Literally 100's of homes destroyed swept away or badly damaged.

its up to 140 now

[James Curry]

So sad,expect it will get higher still.
I remember when we lived in Spain while looking for property the agent took us to view a villa. The villa was over a Barranca (storm ditch) dry river bed. They had put a Pipe about 6 feet in diameter into the barrancca/river bed then built the villa over the top of the thing. I burst out laughing and the agent asked what I found amusing, that there !! seņor that river bed has not flooded in my life time lol, I bet it did yesterday.

[James Curry]

Reported death toll now at 158 and is expected to rise.

[happy daze john in oz]

Different story here in Oz, lunch time today, Friday, said only 120.!!!!
But again only from the media!!

[James Curry]

Perhaps time difference as figures are announced John.
I was speaking to friends last night who live not far from were we lived in the town of Moraira. Thankfully they are not affected and all are safe.
People are angry that the flood warning was not announced until it was far to late for many people. The death toll is still expected to rise as a lot of people are still missing. Many people trapped in cars which are piled high.
There is anger now also at the governments lack of response very late in ordering the army to assist. Off course there is the usual speculation that the Madrid government dragged their heels seeing as Valencia province is a Catalan state.
Reasons being given as to why it happened is obviously Spain has been in a state of drought for a couple of years and there has been no significant rainfall for some time. The mediterranean sea temperature has hit 30 degrees + this summer so a lot of evaporation has taken place hence the really heavy rainfall. It is not just the Valencia area that is affected all along the coast has been hit with heavy rains. From Malaga as far as Tarragona.

[John Arton]

Terrible scenes of destruction in the region. 205 confirmed dead but many more missing. Lovely area of Spain, Valencia and Tarragona good runs ashore. The whole region was a building site some years ago and I wonder if the builders put in sufficient infrastructure to handle such extreme weather conditions.
Rgds
J.A

[j.sabourn]

In Australia disasters as such are more pronounced I would say on the annual outbreak of bush fires during the summer season especially . Of the two I would say fire was more predominant in Australia and of the two more life’s and property lost to such. Some of these fires can be attributed to Arson by individuals with a retarded mental ability , but mainly others by natural means. It is due mainly to the bush fire brigades mainly unpaid volunteers that a huge round of applause should go to , and have just read a Firefighters Prayer given as an oration at one’s funeral. But human response to any catastrophe is usually the difference between life and death. THE FIREFIGHTERS PRAYER….
When sirens sound , when I respond,
When urgency is there,
I ask ,O God , that thou would heed
A firefighters prayer….

When I encounter any scene
With smoke and flames in force,
Help me to hear the faintest cry
And then locate its source.
Help me to work efficiently
Extinguishing the flames
Protecting life’s and property
Regardless of their names
Please keep me focussed on my task
And help me to be brave ,
To give the very best in me
To rescue and to save.
And should it be, through circumstance,
My life you cannot spare,
Surround my family with your love
And keep them in your care. Amen.

Said as ones orbituary not too long ago.

JS

[James Curry]

Spain has it's fair share of forest fires. In 2015 I had my swimming pool more or less emptied by a Bomberos Helicopter dropping his scoop into the pool. No complaints from me as the fire raging down the hill was getting closer to my villa.
Looks as if this death toll is only going to get higher.
Some video footage of the floods in Spain.

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1179737033127087

[happy daze john in oz]

Latest number on our news now close to 200.
But one bit about some form of lake or dam not being correctly cared for is one of the causes of this disaster.

Govs not doing the correct thing is often the cause of many disasters.