Following some of the worst flooding in Spain in decades, Marina Port Valencia is pitching in for the relief efforts. The employees are not only voluntarily pumping water out of homes, but also collecting much-needed food and other aid, distributing it to those in need.
On October 29, a weather front with extreme rainfall caught people off-guard in the eastern region of Valencia. In fact, according to Spain’s national weather agency, Valencia itself received a year’s worth of rainfall in just eight hours. The satellite image above shows Valencia toward the top with the rest of eastern Spain on October 8 (left side) and October 30 (right side). Significant flash flooding resulted, turning streets into raging rivers, destroying houses, and carrying vehicles and people away. At least 218 people are confirmed dead across the country. It’s the highest flood-related death toll in a European country in 57 years. As of this writing, Spanish officials have not estimated how many people remain missing.
In Valencia, water thick with mud and sediment from a nearby river still covered streets, parking garages, and the interiors of homes once the flooding subsided. Not all of the water drained, however, since the river remained swollen. Marina Port Valencia staff decided to join what officials estimate are thousands of volunteers in the recovery effort. For example, they transported and hooked up bilge pumps to remove feet of water from buildings. Additionally, they cleared mud and debris so that search-and-rescue crews could be more effective in trying to find survivors. Similarly, personnel from the Valencia Mar marina and the Calpe, Jávea, Benidorm, and Villajoyosa yacht clubs volunteered alongside Marina Port Valencia’s staff.
Because the relief efforts are ongoing, Marina Port Valencia is asking the yachting community to donate to its charity drive. Already, customers and industry representatives have dropped off basic needs at its offices. Marinas in Mallorca, Ibiza, Menorca, and Tarragona have joined forces with the facility, too.
The Marina Norte offices are accepting items in person Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. You also can email the marina with questions about making other arrangements. Water and non-perishable foods, such as canned goods, rice, pasta, and oil, are strong needs. Many residents’ homes still don’t have electricity or functioning kitchens. Similarly, personal-hygiene products like soap, shampoo, sanitary pads, and diapers are important. Cleaning supplies, warm clothing, and shoes are further needs. The marina says it will send all donated items on a weekly basis to the hundreds affected by the flooding.
“Your soul breaks when you see a catastrophe of this size, and the only thing you can do is help the survivors,” says Santiago Donat, director of Marina Port Valencia. “We’ll do anything that can help, whether it’s cleaning up a road, draining water from a garage, or giving food and water to fellow citizens who haven’t eaten or drunk for days on end.”
Marina Port Valencia marinaportvalencia.es
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