The floods in Spain were some of the worst in decades. The death toll continues to rise and many people are still missing. According to the data published on Sunday, 217 dead have already been found, 213 of them in the Valencia region.
Thousands of volunteers help
Authorities expect more deaths, for example in cars swept away by the tidal waves. There is a shortage of clean drinking water and food in the disaster areas. The solidarity for relief among the population is huge. Thousands of volunteers with shovels, brooms and buckets are flocking to affected areas to help repair the damage.
Maria Paz Ramos is among the leaders of the volunteer aid platform. She told German public media ARD that she was proud of what she had achieved so far. However, there is concern that people's willingness to help may disappear. According to her, there is now a huge upsurge and euphoria, which is great, but the willingness to help will probably gradually weaken.
Dissatisfaction is growing
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has sent 10,000 police and soldiers into disaster-hit regions to clear streets and search for missing people. The search continues now - mostly in underground parking lots, garages and tunnels, with divers also involved. Another big problem is looting - over 80 people have already been arrested.
In cities to the west and south of Valencia, which were hardest hit by the floods, resentment against politicians is growing. In the first hours and days after the disaster, many of the devastated villages felt completely abandoned by the authorities - with muddy streets, no drinking water, food, electricity and telecommunications.
On Sunday, public anger was evident when the Spanish royal family visited Paiporta, near Valencia. Local television showed hundreds of angry people throwing mud at King Felipe and his wife Letizia. Although the monarch's guards advised him not to approach the protesters, the royal couple insisted and tried to calm the crowd. However, similar scenes of discontent against the king are a precedent, noted local media.
More storms in Spain
Meanwhile, Spain's Meteorological Service has warned of new storms and heavy rain that could lead to another flood. Rivers and canals may overflow, with the region around the Mediterranean city of Almeria expected to be particularly affected this time. Meteorologists have issued a code red – which is the highest warning level, meaning "extreme danger". Elsewhere in the Mediterranean - including around Valencia - a high risk orange code remains in place.