In October 2024, intense rainfall in eastern Spain produced deadly and destructive flash floods in the province of Valencia. More than 300 millimeters (12 inches) of rain fell in parts of the province with nearly 500 millimeters (20 inches) falling in 8 hours in Chiva. The coastal city experienced widespread flooding of urban and agricultural lands. Sediment-laden floodwaters filled the channel of the Turia river and the coastal wetlands south of the city. The rains came from a high-altitude low-pressure weather system that became isolated from the jet stream. They occur where cold fronts encounter warm, humid air masses, such as over the Mediterranean Sea. The storms can remain relatively stationary for hours amplifying their flooding potential.
News outlets reported that around 100 people died in the flooding and more remained missing. Infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and rail lines were damaged and vehicles and debris filled the city streets. A military emergency unit deployed more than 1,100 personnel to support rescue operations in the region.
