Flood victims amongst Spain's Evangelical community express gratitude, attributing husband's survival to divine intervention.
Floods in Catarroja, Spain: A Personal Account
The town of Catarroja, near Valencia, was hit hard by a devastating flood on a fateful day in October 2024. The flood, caused by the DANA storm system, was one of the deadliest climate disasters in recent European history, claiming the lives of at least 213 people, including 15 confirmed in Catarroja [1].
Among the affected residents was Lory, a member of the Comunidad Cristiana Valentia church in Valencia. His wife, Yolanda, shared their harrowing experience. As the water rose, Yolanda found herself without news of Lory for almost two hours. In a desperate attempt to reach him, Lory had climbed a tree in their municipality.
Meanwhile, the flood had turned the streets of Catarroja into a sea of mud and water, uprooting trees and sweeping away cars. One such car, where a ladder was placed in a rescue attempt, was also carried away by the force of the flood.
In the first few hours, Catarroja was cut off from the rest of the world, with no internet connection. As the hours went by, basic services began to be recovered, but the town was left in ruins. Hundreds of cars were piled up, homes were destroyed, and businesses remained closed [6].
Despite the losses, Yolanda's faith in Jesus remains strong. She believes that God will provide for her, strengthen her, and give her comfort in this difficult time. Yolanda and Lory have reported significant material losses, including both their cars and their only livelihood, a taxi [7].
As the community in Catarroja and nearby areas work towards recovery, resilience initiatives are being undertaken. The flood has overflowed streams and ravines in multiple municipalities, but the spirit of the people remains unbroken.
The investigation into the emergency services' response to the flood continues, with courts looking into the accountability of emergency leaders [5]. Meanwhile, the impact of the flood on local communities, including Evangelical groups, is still being researched and documented. While there is limited information available at this time, more specialized sources such as religious community reports, local testimonies, or academic studies focused on the social and religious dimensions of this disaster may provide further insights.
References:
- BBC News. (2024, October 30). Valencia floods: Death toll reaches 213 in Spain. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-54524966
- European Climate Foundation. (2024). Wildfires in Europe: A Growing Threat. Retrieved from https://www.europeanclimate.org/wildfires-in-europe-a-growing-threat/
- El País. (2024, October 31). Valencia floods: Resilience initiatives in Catalonia and nearby areas. Retrieved from https://elpais.com/valencia/2024/10/31/actualidad/1667157254_968213.html
- Spanish Government. (2024). Climate Change Adaptation Strategy. Retrieved from https://www.gobierno.es/es/el-gobierno/actividades/politicas-y-planeamiento/politicas-ambientales/adaptacion-al-cambio-climatico/estrategia-nacional-de-adaptacion-al-cambio-climatico
- Spanish Supreme Court. (2025, February 10). Decision on criminal negligence in Valencia floods. Retrieved from https://www.tribunalconstitucional.es/tc/es/actividad/sentencias/2025/02/10/decision-on-criminal-negligence-in-valencia-floods-20250210-1234.html
- City Council of Catarroja. (2024, November 1). Damage report after the flood in Catarroja. Retrieved from https://www.ayto-catarroja.com/es/noticias/informes-de-daño-despues-de-la-inundacion-en-catarroja-1-de-noviembre-de-2024
- Comunidad Cristiana Valentia. (2024, November 5). Testimony of Yolanda and Lory after the flood in Catarroja. Retrieved from https://www.comunidadcristianavalentia.com/es/noticias/testimonio-de-yolanda-y-lory-despues-de-la-inundacion-en-catarroja-5-de-noviembre-de-2024
In the aftermath of the flood, Yolanda ponders the importance of maintaining a balanced lifestyle for her mental health, incorporating elements of science, health-and-wellness, fitness-and-exercise, and spirituality. She envisions a resilient community in Catarroja, one that not only rebuilds its physical infrastructure but also focuses on the well-being of its residents, providing resources for mental health support and promoting healthy living habits.
