As the weeks pass since the date that will never be erased from the memory of the Valencian people—October 29, 2024—we see roads, streets, and the ground floors of buildings reemerge as the mud is cleared away. A disaster that has shaken the entire world because, unfortunately, it is likely the beginning of a new normal, with Valencia being the first to fall in the face of climate change.

What the residents of the 78 municipalities affected by the DANA (two in Castilla-La Mancha, one in Andalusia, and 75 in Valencia) have endured is a catastrophe that claimed the lives of more than 200 people and impacted over 130,000 homes in the flooded areas of Valencia province. The effort to clean and restore these areas has been monumental, and all of Spain has understood that, if not for the tens of thousands of volunteers who left their homes with brooms in hand, the state of these municipalities would still closely resemble what we saw two weeks ago. It is moving to see how the Valencian people have brought out the best in themselves in such a critical moment.

However, it is evident that the phrase coined by poet Antonio Machado during the Civil War, “only the people save the people,” which has appeared in so many banners, graffiti, and voices these days, perfectly captures the poor management we have received from the Generalitat.

The work and organization of volunteers have stood in stark contrast to the inaction of state forces like the police and the army. Through social media platforms such as Instagram and WhatsApp groups, young people have created, organized, and distributed brigades across the affected municipalities. These groups have not only cleaned mud and removed debris but also delivered water, food, and other essential supplies to neighbours who have lost access to these necessities. However, there has been significant criticism directed at the police and even the army (when the Generalitat president finally decided to request their assistance). Some people have noted their limited presence in affected areas, and some who did show up allegedly would sometimes stay in their vehicles or merely observed while hundreds of volunteers worked tirelessly to clear the mud.

This has highlighted that the people, especially the youth, have been among the few to rise to the occasion during this catastrophe. Not all  media outlets have lived up to expectations, publishing unverified or outright false information, such as the supposed 800 deaths in the Bonaire mall parking lot or the 35 victims reported in the Benetússer tunnel. These stories served only to heighten tension among a population already grappling with an incredibly challenging situation.

Of all the questionable actions, the behavior of Carlos Mazón, president of the Generalitat Valenciana, stands out. Despite numerous warnings about the impending catastrophe from organizations like AEMET and the Júcar River Hydrographic Confederation (CHJ), the Generalitat did not issue a red alert for the affected areas until 8:12 PM, by which time the water had already reached residential areas. The delay was partly due to Mazón’s unexplained absence until 7 PM. Valencians now know that he decided to leave, in the midst of a disaster and despite being warned by AEMET and the central government, to attend a private lunch with a journalist, allegedly to offer a position at the Valencian public television network. Over the past two weeks, the Valencian people have received nothing but lies (allegedly) and excuses from the Valencian People’s Party (Partido Popular), which have been continuously debunked, in a desperate attempt to shift blame onto AEMET, the CHJ, and the central government. Valencia’s anger was evident at the November 9 protest, when more than 130,000 people gathered to demand Mazón’s resignation.

Now, as Valencians begin to heal, we must take measures to ensure that a tragedy of this magnitude never happens again. We cannot allow ourselves to be governed by people who do not believe in climate change or who dismiss warnings from scientists. We need to invest in infrastructure to ensure that all homes in flood-prone areas are safe when the waters return, and we need a regional government that understands the gravity of the situation and is willing to alert the population and request resources offered by other autonomous communities.

Report by Carlos Catalán Ruz

Article copyright ‘24/7 Valencia’