Exclusive: Flood experts warn it’s ‘only a matter of time’ before Valencia DANA tragedy happens again

It is only a matter of time before the deadly floods that hit Valencia are repeated in other parts of Spain, a flood expert has warned the Olive Press..

Antonio Gallegos, a flood expert at the University of Malaga (UMA), said the city had been “lucky this time” but could soon face a catastrophic natural disaster.

The geography teacher told the Olive Press: “The intense rains in Valencia have been extraordinary but they are happening more and more.

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“Luckily in Malaga we haven’t had such heavy rain yet, but if we do it next year, which is likely, it will be the next Valencia.”

He explained that this time the rain on the Costa del Sol fell near the sea but if it moves inland it will easily overwhelm the waterways.

Although parts of the city were flooded this year, “it will be much worse next time” if the rain fell a little further inland.

“We haven’t implemented measures like creating floodplain parks designed to absorb water, so we’re already behind schedule, these things have been urgent for years.

“Now that the tragedy in Valencia has happened, it has made us understand that we must act. Let’s hope that politicians are proactive, it’s now in their hands.”

Malaga is not the only place in Spain that could be affected by extreme weather events.

“The Mediterranean is a maximum danger zone,” Gallegos explained.

“Flooding is very serious here because the land does not absorb water and rising sea temperatures make DANA storms more frequent and more intense. »

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This puts the Balearic Islands, Murcia, the Costa Brava and many other regions of Mediterranean Spain at high risk.

To avoid the devastation seen in Valencia, Gallegos believes that prevention and better management of disasters are essential.

“Many professionals would never have thought that more than 200 people could die in Spain in the 21st century as a result of a natural disaster. But in the case of Valencia the management was very bad,” he said.

“Climate change caused the storm, but the lack of prevention and management is responsible for the consequences. »

Fortunately, there are many things we can do to better face such challenges in the future, starting with a thorough study of Valencia’s failures.

“The fact that they only gave the warning when people were already drowning is something that needs to be investigated because it is responsible for a large number of deaths,” the environmental expert said .

“We also need to redo maps and statistics of flood risk areas, as they do not use contemporary data and only take into account the flow of ‘clean water’, which does not overwhelm systems as quickly than the muddy, debris-filled flood that hit Valencia.”

Joaquín Martinez-Campillo Garcia, delegate of the Spanish College of Geologists in Valencia, shares this opinion: “I hope that Valencia will mark a turning point, but the cost has been too high. We must take note, listen to the ecosystem and remember that we are capable of preventing these situations.

“Onteniente, in the Valencian Community, is a good example. They have had very bad flooding and are changing the boundaries of their rivers to ensure the water does not accelerate to such dangerous speeds.

Another key action is informing residents in flood-prone areas on how to respond when warnings are issued.

“We must educate; If we had done this in Valencia, it would not have happened like this. People continued to go about their daily lives because they didn’t know otherwise. When you receive a red alert, don’t think about your work or deadlines, think about saving yourself and your loved ones.

Climatologist Anabela Bonada works tirelessly on such courses in her native Canada.

She is executive director of the Intact Center for Climate Adaptation, which develops guidelines to mitigate extreme weather risks.

“A lot of people think that because they don’t live near water, flooding can’t affect them, but with climate change it’s very important to be aware of this,” she advised .

“There are simple steps you can take to mitigate your risks, such as cleaning your gutters, making sure your downspout is directed away from the house, or adding a rain garden to absorb excess water. »

If you live in an apartment, like many people in Spanish urban areas, she advises keeping an emergency bag filled with supplies to sustain you for at least 72 hours, such as water, food, a torch and medicines.

She also recommends knowing where the nearest high ground is and where you keep your valuables in case of an emergency.

“But ultimately the responsibility for this awareness rests heavily on the shoulders of the government,” she said.

“Similarly, they need to improve the warning system and stop building in flood plains. »

Spain partially banned construction in floodplains in 2015, but developers can still build on some of this land if certain “safety conditions” are met.

Thousands of people also live on flood plains built before this law came into force, notably on the Mediterranean coast, where huge real estate booms have led to heavy urbanization of coastal flood zones.

Indeed, the Balearic government approved a change in the law earlier this year to allow more construction in flood plains. This local legislation is now frozen following the Valencia disaster, while all political parties discuss changes.

Despite the fear many Spanish residents currently feel, Dr. Bonada encourages healthy optimism.

“Things have to be done differently, but we have the solutions, so for me it gives a hopeful optimism,” she shared.

“But we also need to be proactive. If we want these measures implemented, it is up to all of us to push for these measures and vote for a government that we know will implement these measures. » The Intact Center on Climate Adaptation offers a wealth of tips, guides and resources for preparing for natural disasters on their website: www.intactcentreclimateadaptation.ca.

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