Spain’s weather service AEMET issued renewed storm warnings for much of the country from Tuesday to Thursday, two weeks after rains and floods killed more than 220 people, most of them in the eastern city of Valencia.
Authorities in Valencia have reduced the number of missing to 23 from 32, as they continue to search mainly in the sea and coastal wetlands using ships, drones and sounding equipment.
The death toll following the storms of October 29 stands at 222. A year’s worth of rain fell in a few hours.
Weather warnings at the third highest level and in some cases at the highest level were issued for parts of the province of Valencia, the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean and parts of Galicia in the far northwest, Catalonia in the northeast and Andalusia in the south.
The province of Almería in Andalusia saw heavy rains and floods on Monday. Nuria Rodríguez, mayor of the small coastal town of Balanegra, expressed concern. “We all still have images of Valencia in our minds,” he said.
Meteorologist Mónica López told the country’s broadcaster that she did not expect the new storms to be as violent as those in Valencia two weeks ago.
Life was returning to normal as 47 schools were opened on Monday as work was being done. Some roads remain blocked by debris and mud, and many people have not been able to return to their homes.
The high-speed rail link between Madrid and Valencia was due to reopen on Thursday.
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