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Feeling abandoned after historic floods, Valencians press on with cleanup effort

A man looks on the destruction in an area affected by floods in Alfafar, Spain, on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024.
A man looks on the destruction in an area affected by floods in Alfafar, Spain, on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024. Copyright  Manu Fernandez/Copyright 2024 The AP. All rights reserved.
Copyright Manu Fernandez/Copyright 2024 The AP. All rights reserved.
By Emma De Ruiter with AP
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Citizens, volunteers and thousands of soldiers and police officers pressed on with their gargantuan clean-up effort to clear out mud and debris following devasting floods in eastern Spain.

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People across Valencia are coming together as they continue the clean-up effort after last week's massive flooding which killed at least 217 people in eastern Spain.

Almost seven days after flash floods came crashing through the streets of Valencia and its surrounding towns, the situations remains dramatic, and government aid is scarce.

Volunteers set up medical points and food distribution points throughout the town. "Task forces of volunteers have been sent. Groups of doctors and nurses knocking door to door asking about people’s health," Carlos Moya, a volunteer nurse said.

Clothes are sorted in school used as a distribution centre for people needing clothes and food on the outskirts of Valencia, Spain, Monday, Nov. 4, 2024.
Clothes are sorted in school used as a distribution centre for people needing clothes and food on the outskirts of Valencia, Spain, Monday, Nov. 4, 2024. Alberto Saiz/Copyright 2024 The AP. All rights reserved

But many people feel abandoned by authorities. "The street here was full of piled cars. Nobody came," resident Ana Isabel Zomeno, complained.

Spain is used to autumn storms that can lead to flooding, but the latest ones have produced the deadliest flooding in living memory for Spaniards.

Last Tuesday, in a matter of minutes, flash floods caused by heavy downpours in eastern Spain swept away almost everything in their path.

With no time to react, people were trapped in vehicles, homes and businesses. Many died and thousands of livelihoods were shattered.

Civil Guards walk in a flooded indoor car park to check cars for bodies after floods in Paiporta, near Valencia, Spain, Monday, Nov. 4, 2024.
Civil Guards walk in a flooded indoor car park to check cars for bodies after floods in Paiporta, near Valencia, Spain, Monday, Nov. 4, 2024. Alberto Saiz/Copyright 2024 The AP. All rights reserved

The damage recalled the aftermath of a tsunami, with survivors left to pick up the pieces as they mourn their loved ones.

Ninety kilometers of regional railway line were destroyed by the floods. It will take months to get back to normal.

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