‘Apocalyptic’: Death toll soars as floods devastate Spain

Terrifying flash floods in Spain have left dozens dead, including children, in one of the country’s worst-ever natural disasters. See video, photos.

The death toll from devastating flooding in Spain has climbed to 95, including four children, rescuers and officials said, making it the country’s deadliest such disaster in decades.

Widespread flooding caused by torrential rainfall has devastated southeastern parts of the country, with footage from Almeria and Valencia showing flood water overwhelming streets and sweeping away vehicles.

The Australian Embassy in Madrid is in contact with local authorities regarding any Australians impacted by the floods, a DFAT spokesperson said in a statement.

Emergency workers rescue an injured person in Letur, Albacete province, Spain. Picture: Getty Images

The floods left a trail of disaster in Valencia, eastern Spain. Picture: AFP

Cars are piled in the street in Sedava, Spain. Picture: Getty Images

Train tracks are covered debris after flash-flooding in Valencia, Spain. Picture: Getty Images

People rest in an emergency shelter in an Ikea store following deadly floods in Alfafar. Picture: AFP

A little girl is carried by a rescue worker in Picanya, near Valencia. Picture: AFP

Videos appeared to show people being trapped by the floodwaters, with some being forced to hang on to trees to avoid being swept away.

Witnesses told of waves of mud cascading down the walls of houses as people were stranded in buildings and crying out for help, The Times reports. 

In the town of Paiporta in Valencia, five elderly residents of an aged care home tragically drowned when the flood entered their home while they are having dinner.

The town’s major described the situation as “apocalyptic”.

Residents walk past piled up cars following deadly floods in Valencia’s De La Torre neighbourhood. Picture: AFP

Emergency workers rescue a man in Letur, Albacete province. Picture: Getty Images

Spanish rescuers taking residents on a dinghy following deadly flooding in Valencia. Picture: AFP

An emergency vehicle passes the scene of damage after flash floods in Letur, Albacete province. Picture: Getty Images

A man walks through a debris-covered street in Sedava. Picture: Getty Images

A 71-year-old British man was also confirmed dead after being found at his home in Alhaurin de la Torre, a town in Malaga.

According to Juanma Moreno, the president of the Andalusia region, the man had suffered from hypothermia before dying of a cardiac arrest in hospital hours after he was rescued from his home.

A man carries a dog in Letur, Albacete province, Spain. Picture: Getty Images

Residents walk next to piled up cars following floods in Valencia’s De La Torre area. Picture: AFP

Devastated locals look at damaged road and houses following floods in Letur, southwest of Valencia. Picture: AFP

Cars are piled in the street with other debris in the Sedava area of Valencia, Spain. Picture: /Getty Images

Members of the INFOCA (Andalusia Fire Prevention and Extinction Plan) clean a flooded street in Cartama, near Malaga. Picture: AFP

The timing of flood alerts is now under intense scrutiny, with regional politicians forced to defend their handling of the disaster.

A delay in alerts from authorities is now being blamed for many of those affected being unable to seek refuge in time.

Cars on railway tracks following deadly floods in Sedava, south of Valencia. Picture: AFP

Residents clean up following deadly floods in Valencia’s De La Torre. Picture: AFP

Despite warnings from meteorologists about the severity of the storm since Monday, local time, a huge alert to mobile phones in the province of Valencia was not sent out until Tuesday night, The Times reports.

More than 250,000 people are now without power, running water and phone coverage.

“For those who are looking for their loved ones, all of Spain feels your pain,” Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said in a televised address.

“Our priority is to help you. We are putting together all the resources necessary so that we can recover from this tragedy.”

Originally published as ‘Apocalyptic’: Death toll soars as floods devastate Spain