Summary

Media caption,

Closer look: BBC reporter walks through devastated Valencia neighbourhood

  1. Are there more storms to come?published at 13:06 Greenwich Mean Time 30 October

    Matt Taylor
    BBC Weather

    While the worst of the Spanish storms are over, the low pressure system responsible remains across Iberia today and tomorrow.

    Less widespread storms could bring a further 80 to 100mm of rain in the next 12 hours.

    The national weather service is highlighting areas including Campiña Gaditanan and Campiña Sevillana as being at the greatest risk of this, and have issued amber warnings for the rain in these areas.

  2. Six key things you need to knowpublished at 13:02 Greenwich Mean Time 30 October

    Cars submerged in muddy waterImage source, EPA

    With at least 62 people now known to have died, and a number feared missing, after torrential rain led to flash floods in the south-eastern Spain, here's the latest:

    • More than a year's worth of rain fell in just eight hours in Chiva, Valencia, with video showing floodwaters dragging cars through the streets and leaving people clinging to trees
    • Local authorities have issued warnings over false information circulating on social media, advising people to only listen to official channels
    • More than 1,000 troops have been deployed to help with the rescue operation, with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez promising residents "we won't abandon you"
    • Criticism has been directed towards the regional government of Valencia, which eliminated the Valencia Emergency Unit (UVE) upon taking office in 2023
    • Around 155,000 households are still without electricity in the Valencia region, a local electricity provider says, and state railway company Adif says trains on the high-speed Madrid-Valencia and Barcelona-Valencia are cancelled
    • Much of Spain has been badly hit by heavy rain and hailstorms
  3. EU and neighbours offer help with flood reliefpublished at 12:23 Greenwich Mean Time 30 October

    Several governments and international organisations have expressed sympathy with Spain and offered to help with relief efforts - here's a look at what some of them have said.

    EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen says the bloc has activated the Copernicus satellite system to help coordinate rescue teams.

    European Council President Charles Michel says the EU "is ready to provide its support" to Spain.

    A spokesperson for the German government told reporters Berlin offered help with flood relief, without specifying if the offer was accepted.

    Neighbouring Portugal offers Spain "all necessary help," Prime Minister Luis Montenegro writes on X.

  4. Severe weather warning in Catalonia, northern Spainpublished at 11:58 Greenwich Mean Time 30 October

    As we've been reporting flash floods have hit parts of the south-east of Spain, and now a severe weather warning has been issued for Catalonia, a region of northern Spain.

    Meteocat, the Catalan weather service, has issued the severe weather warning. It warns of hail exceeding two centimetres in diameter, wind gusts of more than 25 meters per second and tornadoes or waterspouts in the Spanish province.

    The level of danger is at its highest, it says - ranking six out of six.

  5. Death toll rises to 62 - local government reportspublished at 11:47 Greenwich Mean Time 30 October
    Breaking

    The death toll has risen from 62 people, after it was earlier reported at least 51 people had been killed, according to the Interior Ministry's Integrated Operational Coordination Centre (Cecopi).

    The update calls this number "provisional" and says the process of identifying victims continues.

  6. Was the Valencian government prepared for flash floods?published at 11:43 Greenwich Mean Time 30 October

    Guy Hedgecoe
    Reporting from Madrid

    The regional government of Valencia has faced criticism for allegedly failing to prepare sufficiently for the flash floods.

    “There are governments which privatise and dismantle when they arrive in institutions and there are governments who are proud of that,” said Gabriel Rufián, of the Catalan Republican Left (ERC).

    He was referring to the conservative administration of Carlos Mazón, who eliminated the Valencia Emergency Unit (UVE) on taking office in 2023, on the grounds that it was inefficient.

    Speaking on the radio, Mr Mazón defended his handling of the crisis, saying that “the experts talk about an absolutely unprecedented situation”.

    He also responded to claims that warnings about the floods had not been robust enough, saying that they had been provided “in the correct way”.

  7. High-speed trains and football matches cancelledpublished at 11:36 Greenwich Mean Time 30 October

    State railway company Adif says trains on the high-speed Madrid-Valencia and Barcelona-Valencia are cancelled. Suburban trains around Valencia are also affected, though Adif adds that some lines may be "subject to the evolution of the weather".

    Some football matches have also been cancelled because of the weather, including:

    • CP Parla Escuela v Valencia CF
    • Pontavedra v Levante UD
  8. More than a year's worth of rainfall in eight hourspublished at 11:29 Greenwich Mean Time 30 October

    BBC Weather's Matt Taylor has taken a look at what has caused the flash floods, as the region in south-eastern Spain saw more than a year's worth of rainfall in eight hours.

    The heavy rainfall has been put, in part, down to a Dana phenomenon, in the video below Matt explains what this means.

    Media caption,

    Dozens killed in Spanish flash flooding after torrential rain

  9. Over 100,000 households without electricity in Valenciapublished at 11:21 Greenwich Mean Time 30 October

    About 155,000 households still lack electricity in the Valencia region, a local electricity provider says.

    Iberdrola says supply has been disrupted particularly around the Catadau area, where rains and strong winds affected power lines.

    Some affected municipalities include Carlet, Montserrat, Catadau, Montroy and Benimodo.

    Repair work may take time due to the conditions, the company adds.

  10. Damage and destruction in Valenciapublished at 11:11 Greenwich Mean Time 30 October

    We're seeing pictures now from Picanya, near Valencia in eastern Spain, where buildings have been damaged and cars left stranded in the streets.

    Residents are pictured next to cars piled in a street covered in mud following floods in Picanya, near Valencia, eastern SpainImage source, Getty Images
    A flooded slum area is pictured in Picanya, near Valencia,Image source, Getty Images
    A man walks in a street covered in mud in a flooded area in PicanyaImage source, Getty Images
    A Civil Protection member carries a child in a street covered in mud in a flooded area in Picanya, near ValenciaImage source, Getty Images
  11. Europe is ready to help - European Parliament Presidentpublished at 11:00 Greenwich Mean Time 30 October

    The President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, says "Europe is ready to help" after what she calls the "catastrophic consequences" of flooding on Spain's south and east coast.

    In a statement on X,, external she gives her solidarity to all affected and says she is grateful to the emergency workers "who are doing everything they can to help people in need".

  12. No update from Sanchez on death tollpublished at 10:54 Greenwich Mean Time 30 October

    Sanchez finishes his remarks with a plea to residents in affected areas to listen to warnings being issued by officials.

    We weren't given any major updates on the number of people who've been killed or injured due to the floods. For now, we know that at least 51 people are known to have died.

    When we do hear such updates, we'll bring you them right here.

  13. 'We won't abandon you'published at 10:54 Greenwich Mean Time 30 October

    Continuing, Spain's prime minister tells flood victims "we won't abandon you".

    He says lots of people are facing uncertainty, but Spain will help them - and will have all the resources for people to recover their lives and homes.

    Emergency services are working tirelessly, he says, including local police, NGOs and the Guardia Civil - the national police force with military status.

    Sanchez says that a governmental crisis committee, which was set up yesterday, will continue to work with mayors of the affected areas.

  14. Spanish PM warns citizens to be carefulpublished at 10:51 Greenwich Mean Time 30 October

    Sanchez tells Spanish citizens to remain careful. Amber warnings are still in place in several areas of southern Spain, he says.

    Residents of regions including Valencia, Andalusia and Catalonia should take precautions. Try not to drive or be near bridges, he says, urging people not to put their lives at risk.

    Spain has suffered many emergencies in recent years, but the country always shows its best side during difficult situations, he says, referring to the Covid-19 pandemic and previous natural disasters.

  15. Sanchez begins statement - follow livepublished at 10:41 Greenwich Mean Time 30 October

    Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez is beginning to make his statement now.

    We'll bring you the key lines and any updates he gives.

    Stay with us.

  16. Watch: Flash floods sweep through parts of Spainpublished at 10:38 Greenwich Mean Time 30 October

    We're seeing video now from parts of south-eastern Spain, where flash flooding has killed dozens of people.

    Media caption,

    Hailstorms and floods sweep through parts of Spain

  17. What we know so farpublished at 10:30 Greenwich Mean Time 30 October

    Before we hear from the Spanish PM, here's a brief look at what we know about what's happening in Spain:

    • At least 51 people have been killed by flooding in the Valencia province on Spain’s east coast
    • A year’s worth of rain fell in the town of Chiva near Valencia in just eight hours, leading to torrents of mud and water flowing through streets
    • Some people spent the night on top of their cars, waiting to be rescued
    • Trains and flights have been severely affected, with widespread cancellations
    • 1000 troops have been deployed to help with the rescue operation
  18. Flash flooding kills dozens in south-eastern Spainpublished at 10:23 Greenwich Mean Time 30 October
    Breaking

    We're about to hear from Pedro Sanchez, Spain's prime minister, after flash-flooding has killed dozens of people near Valencia.

    We'll bring you the latest updates as we get them.

    Stay with us.