Angry residents of Spain’s Valencia feel left out after historic floods, with more rain on the way | CNN

Valencia, Spain
CNN
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Photos are fun times. A father of two on vacation. Pets that wag their tails. Teenage girls taking selfies.

Here is a collection of missing items. DANA Desaparecidos is a social media effort to find those still missing from the devastating floods that swept through eastern Spain. At least 217 people have been confirmed dead and the toll could rise.

In another miraculous rescue, a woman was found alive on Saturday after being trapped in her car for three days. However, hope is fading for those who are still missing.

Although the government has not released the number of missing persons, social media accounts such as DANA Desaparecidos have received many reports of families in distress looking for their loved ones. Days have passed in many villages without communication.

The government’s hotline to report missing persons after the floods is completely overloaded. Instead, their families and friends turned to social media to get the word out.

In DANA Desparecidos, each image contains a description of one of the currently unknown and details of their last known location. Others post photos of missing pets, their owners desperate to find friends.

Another picture shows a woman joining hands with her friend, with a caption that reads: “Her name is Mila. He left yesterday at 1900 from Picanya to his home in Silla. He didn’t come.”

Alba Lozano Asencio created an account with her boyfriend Luciano Esguerra. So far, about 30 people and their pets have been found, according to the organizers of DANA Desaparcideo. Images labeled “Localizado” – or “located” – are printed to inform users when a person has been found, often without communication. Now they are also receiving requests for flood cleanup assistance.

“People feel helpless and emergency services are overwhelmed,” Asencio told CNN. “I think the most important part of this page is that it gives hope to people at this time.”

The slow and uncoordinated response to the crisis has angered and frustrated many here in Valencia.

Spain’s King Felipe and Queen Letizia were mobbed by angry residents during a visit on Sunday to the troubled Paiporta area. Letizia, in particular, seemed shaken by the cries of “murderers” when mud was thrown at the royal couple. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez was also present but was quickly detained by security.

The Spanish government announced on Monday that it is sending another 2,500 troops to the eastern region, due to the anger of the population.

By Monday night, the army expects to have about 7,800 troops in the area, according to the head of the Spanish Army’s Emergency Center, Francisco Javier Marcos. This is on top of the 5,223 personnel and 4,256 National Police that have been organized.

Security forces are searching for victims in tunnels and underground garages, including a large parking lot at Bonaire’s Aldaia mall.

The army has also deployed a warship in Valencia, bringing helicopters, seaplanes, trucks, food and emergency supplies.

Meanwhile, thousands of volunteers also continue to enter the affected areas, many of them walking long distances through the mud to help their neighbors.

Pedro de Juan, 18, had only seen scenes like this in movies but showed up with a broom and a bucket to help.

“It is strange how the government says it is not our fault. It’s someone else’s fault. But at this time we have to join hands and help each other,” he told CNN. “The army and the police are helping but not as much as we expected and they are too late.”

“This word is confusing,” said Francisco Bosque, another volunteer who hopes to help friends in flooded areas. “You feel completely powerless. All you have to do is come here and present yourself.

The weather system that caused the flooding is still affecting the area and some volunteer buses were turned back as a precaution.

Spain’s AEMET service issued a red alert for the Barcelona area due to heavy rain on Monday afternoon, but the alert has now passed. The Barcelona City Council has also issued a flood warning on its website, which encourages people to be aware of and avoid areas where flooding may occur.

Airport operator AENA said 70 flights from Barcelona’s El Prat airport had been canceled or significantly delayed, while another 18 had been diverted due to the storm. The weather was also affecting rail and metro services to the airport, the official said.

A video on social media showed one of the airport’s buildings partially submerged due to heavy rain, water gushing through parts of the roof and some passengers wading through ankle-deep water.

AEMET has also issued a new yellow and orange warning for the regions of Castellon, Valencia and Alicante, warning that sudden, heavy rains could cause widespread flooding in already damaged areas.