Christians in Spain unite to help in record flooding
Flash flooding swept away abandoned cars and caused car pile-ups. Photo ANP, Biel Alino
Southern Europe
Joel Forster and his family have been affected by the country's recent flooding that has killed over 150 people. Forster is one of the many Spanish Christians who is living through one of the most extensive natural disasters in the nation.
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On Tuesday, Spain was hit with heavy rain that brought metres-high water to the eastern city of Valencia and the surrounding areas. Soldiers have been deployed there, and some communities can only be accessed by helicopter, the BBC reported. As night crews worked to clear debris and abandoned cars from the towns, the aftermath signals one of the worst natural disasters in Spain's history, according to national authorities.
The aftermath
The death toll will likely rise as relief workers continue to clean up more extensively in the coming days. Many are still missing after more than a year's worth of rain fell in eight hours, Territorial policy minister Ángel Víctor Torres said to the BBC.
Local officials have complained that the warnings to prepare have come too late. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, however, has promised that those affected will not be left alone. The BBC report also noted that Sanchez extended his condolences to all those affected, saying, "The whole of Spain weeps with you," and his government recently issued three days of nationwide mourning from Thursday to Sunday.
Joel Forster, director of the news website Evangelical Focus, released an Instagram video about the recent destruction near Valencia, Spain, and his local community. As he spoke in front of his neighbourhood, which was now filled with piled cars and scattered sticks of wood, he explained that a river had begun to overflow and had caused extensive damage to his town. "It's a complete disaster," he says in the video.
Although his house has not been affected, he also says that there is currently no running water, and the area has had its electricity restored. He is hoping that water will come back on so that his family can wash and cook. Some families, including Forster's parents, are also left without electricity or running water. However, heading further south, there is more destruction, he says, and he knows of people who have lost their homes.
Maria Luisa Tirado-Clarke, a Spanish Christian and English teacher living in the southern city of Seville, says they are on a yellow alert as of today, 31 October. A yellow alert means that there is still a lot of water, and the current situation is still being monitored in her city. She also mentioned that cemeteries and all public areas have been closed to avoid accidents.
Tirado-Clarke explained that the nearby Spanish city, Malaga, had one of its main rivers flood. One person died there, and many houses were destroyed, which has now left several homeless. "The devastating news about the loss of life and destruction in what some of our communities have had to endure in just a few hours is tremendous," she says in a Facebook chat message to CNE.
She noted that the town of Jerez, near her area, has been the most affected, with many houses having to be abandoned or in danger of collapse. The eastern part of Spain, Tirado-Clarke added, has been the most devastated, with bridges and buildings flattened in the flood's wake. She wrote that some were trapped in their cars or even in their own homes. What's more, many people could not charge their phones and later died because they were unable to call for help.
"Everyone said that everything was so sudden, there wasn't any time to react. But we have seen amazing scenes of bravery among people, their communities, and with rescue services," she says.
Churches help out
Churches in the affected areas have stepped in to help, as many people cannot buy water in the supermarket. Forster told CNE on Thursday that local churches have created a WhatsApp group so families can have basic supplies such as water and toiletries. Since roads are now blocked with muddy debris and cars, Forster must walk to get those supplies to needy families. Many Christians are also offering up their homes to those who need one.
Tirado-Clarke writes that Valencia's government has promised millions of Euros in restoration efforts, and they hope to start rebuilding as soon as possible.
She also noted that many churches throughout the country are holding prayer meetings and forming intercession groups. Although prayer is needed, one may ask: How can Christians help during this challenging time? "I believe Jesus left us here to do a mission. He is not here, but we are His body. Throughout these times, we should be Jesus to the people affected," she says.
As disaster relief efforts are underway to reach affected communities, Joel Forster closes with a reflection on his neighbourhood's uncertain future. "This is a situation where we are trusting in the Lord, and for those of us who believe, hopefully, we can share this hope with many others," he says in his Instagram video.
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