5 Nov, 2024 @ 12:35
1 min read

A third of homes flooded in Valencia were built in at risk areas during the housing bubble- researchers reveal

Paiporta, Spain - 03 November 2024: (Drone Shot) Aerial view of the town center in the aftermath of the floods. More than 200 people were killed in flash floods that affected the area around Valencia, particularly the towns of Paiporta, Sedavì, and Benatusser, in what is considered the worst natural disaster in Spain's history and one of the worst in Europe history. The floods were caused by an atmospheric phenomenon known as Dana. With many bodies still under the rubble, the number of victims is expected to rise. Davide Bonaldo/Sipa USA *** Local Caption *** 57562408

RESEARCHERS have revealed that a third of homes flooded during the DANA storm in Valencia were built on land at risk of flooding during the housing bubble.

As the horror of the Valencia floods begins to settle, Spaniards are wondering- who is to blame for this disaster? 

Paiporta is one of the areas hit hardest by the flooding.
Photo: Cordon Press

Overall, an area of some 15,633 hectares was flooded, affecting over 190,000 people in 17,497 residential buildings.

According to the European Emergency Management Service (EMS), Copernicus, over 3,249 km of streets and roads have been flooded. 

Almost a third of the residences affected were built in flood risk areas during the housing bubble, according to research carried out by DATADISTA. 

The study claims that developers would have known the land was liable to flooding thanks to the 2003 Land Action Plan to Prevent Flooding in the Valencian Community (Patricova). 

Land included in the list has been updated over time to reflect changes due to the climate crisis and other factors. 

On a national level, it is estimated at least three million people live in flood risk areas. 

Building on land liable to flooding is still permitted in Spain.

Yzabelle Bostyn

Yzabelle Bostyn is an NCTJ trained journalist who started her journalistic career at the Olive Press in 2023.
Before moving to Spain, she studied for a BA in English Literature and Hispanic Studies at the University of Sheffield.
After graduating she moved to the university’s journalism department, one of the best in the UK.
Throughout the past few years, she has taken on many roles including social media marketing, copywriting and radio presenting.
She then took a year out to travel Latin America, scaling volcanoes in Guatemala and swimming with sharks in Belize.
Then, she came to the Olive Press last year where she has honed her travel writing skills and reported on many fantastic experiences such as the Al Andalus luxury train.
She has also undertaken many investigations, looking into complex issues like Spain’s rental crisis and rising cancer rates.
Always willing to help, she has exposed many frauds and scams, working alongside victims to achieve justice.
She is most proud of her work on Nolotil, a drug linked to the deaths of many Brits in Spain.
A campaign launched by Yzabelle has received considerable support and her coverage has been by the UK and Spanish media alike.
Her writing has featured on many UK news outlets from the Sun to the Mail Online, who contracted her to report for them in Tenerife on growing tourism issues.
Recently, she has appeared on Times Radio covering deadly flooding in Valencia.

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