The toll of the disaster in Valencia, in terms of material damage and human loss, is enormous. At least 211 people have lost their lives, businesses have been destroyed and the psychological consequences, as reflected in the testimonies of those affected, are shocking.

Heavy rains that began on Monday caused floods that destroyed bridges and covered cities in mud, leaving them without water, food or electricity

An additional 10,000 troops have been sent to flood-hit areas in Spain to boost search and rescue operations.

“I lost everything – but at least I’m alive”

For some local residents still reeling from the scale of the devastation, news of more aid and support brings little relief.

In Valencia, a local business owner tells the BBC that, at one point, the floodwaters in her building reached her neck and she thought she was going to die.

“At least I’m alive, but I’ve lost everything. My business, my home”testifies Amparo Andres, who has had her store in Valencia for 40 years.

“And the government does nothing. Only the young people around us help».

Juan Perez, another resident of the area, returned to his home after the floods and says:All my life, my memories…and now in one night, it’s all gone».

“We feel abandoned”

Residents of Valencia say they feel abandoned and desperate after the deadly floods that have so far claimed more than 200 lives.

“We feel abandoned, there are many people who need help” says Emilia, 74, a shop owner in Picanya, a suburb of Valencia, adding that people throw away many, if not all, of their household items.

“We can’t even wash our clothes and we can’t even shower“, he tells the Reuters news agency.

Another Picanya resident, nurse Maria Jose Gilabert, 52, says locals feel “devastated because there is not much light in the tunnel here right now.”

“It will be a long time before it becomes habitable again“, he says.

Valenthia

About 4,500 businesses in Valencia were damaged by the floods

In addition to the 10,000 reinforcements who joined the 1,700 troops deployed earlier in the week, thousands of volunteers have arrived in Valencia to support recovery efforts.

An estimated 4,500 businesses have been damaged in Valencia as a result of heavy rains that have brought devastating floods to Spain, the country’s Efe news agency reports.

Citing the Valencia Chamber of Commerce, Efe says that approx 1,800 of these businesses have suffered serious damage.

The report also lists some of the most financially affected municipalities, including Paiporta, Picanya and the neighborhood of La Torre.

These areas have seen “hundreds” of facilities flooded, causing damage to equipment, facilities and vehicles as well as loss of stock.

Solidarity is growing day by day

In the midst of shock and trauma, solidarity grows day by day.

In a museum building in central Valencia, huge numbers of volunteers lined up to receive supplies – buckets, mops, food and water – to board buses to the worst-hit areas.

The organizers believe that 15,000 people showed up only this morning, filling what many believe is a void left by the authorities.

16-year-old Pedro Francisco waited in line with his parents for four hours, eager to help.

He tells me that his friend’s grandfather had died in the floods – but that so far he has not been able to retrieve the body.

“We must do what we can“, he says. “It’s just terrible to see what has happened».

Also in line was Oscar Martinez with his wife and son.

“I feel angry“, he told me. “This was an avoidable tragedy. All the regional government needed to do was give us the flood warnings in advance».

Warnings of further downpours in the south today

Warnings remain in place for southern Spain, with the possibility of further heavy rain today Saturday. This is the Huelva region, which has already been severely affected by the rains. The city of Cartaya saw about two months’ worth of rain in just 10 hours.

Further south, in the city of Jerez, hundreds of families were forced to flee their homes as heavy rain raised river levels.

Some residents say more lives could have been saved if local authorities had warned sooner about the risk of flooding.