Spanish Flooding: Irish Citizens Share Their Experiences
Heavy rains and flash floods have devastated large parts of Spain, leaving widespread damage and disruption. Many Irish citizens have found themselves caught up in the crisis, sharing their harrowing experiences with RTÉ News.
Valencia Under Water
Dylan Gallagher and his fiancé are among those affected. They were staying in the city center of Valencia when the flooding began. Thankfully, their apartment was on the seventh floor, allowing them to witness the dramatic scene unfolding on the streets below.
“I’d only received an emergency alarm yesterday at 8.30 pm when it was too late to prepare,” Dylan said. “It was too dangerous to go outside and to go to the shop.”
The area remains severely impacted, with roads and transportation infrastructure crippled.
“The roads all around us…they’re completely flooded, the main road to the airport is under water, it has cars abandoned everywhere on it,” Dylan explained. "The railway, the underground train stations are completely flooded. This is just a stark reminder that climate change is real.”
Inland Communities Not Spared
Jessica Baker, from Dublin, lives further inland in a town in Malaga province, but the torrential rain there was equally heavy.
“We are extremely lucky that our home is slightly elevated and we do have flood ditches around the house, so the water level didn’t affect our home,” Jessica said. “But we won’t be going anywhere for a few days. We’re surrounded by mud, but we are dry in our house."
Unfortunately, many in her community have not been so fortunate.
“A very good friend bought a property here last year. Her property is now completely destroyed. She was airlifted out of her home yesterday by helicopter," she shared.
Pub Owner Caught in Disaster
Seamus McCluskey, co-owner of Saints and Scholars pub in Valencia, was caught in the floods on his way home from work.
“I was trying to get home from work last night,” he said on RTÉ’s Nine News. “Clearly [I was] turned away roughly about 15km away from the house."
On the journey home, the situation deteriorated rapidly.
“We saw more water coming and coming. The car actually started lifting up,” Seamus described. “We made the decision to go forward. Thankfully enough we got out of there just about."
The cars behind Seamus were not so fortunate.
“I’ve never seen anything like this before,” he said. “It was a complete disaster.”
Attempting to reach his village again today, Seamus encountered road closures and major damage.
“On the main motorway, the A7 there was an actual hole,” he reported. “Firefighters told us to turn away and try again in two days’ time until we get access to the actual town where I am living."
The floods directly impacted Seamus’ home, leaving it with a flooded first floor and a loss of power.
Supermarket Shelving Empties Out
Úna Harty, from Limerick, also lives in Valencia city center. She reported a frantic scene in local supermarkets as the news of unsafe drinking water spread.
“I think it was around lunchtime, or just before lunchtime, I think, that the news got out that you should not be drinking the water,” Úna said. “Everybody rushed…I was in one of the supermarkets at lunchtime, and it was mania. I don’t think I’ve ever seen it so busy in all my life."
Shelves were quickly depleted as residents scrambled to stock up.
“And by the time I got to the water I think there was like only a few of those kind of small little kids bottles left, so I grabbed whatever I could and yeah hopefully that’ll do me next, the next couple of days," Úna said.
Advice for Irish Citizens
The Department of Foreign Affairs advises Irish citizens in Spain to follow the guidance of local authorities and to remain aware of the developing situation. Irish citizens requiring consular assistance can contact the Irish Embassy in Madrid on +34 914364093.
For the latest updates on the situation in Spain, follow trusted news sources and official government channels.