Hello Friends,
Normally, when you travel to a city or town, you travel to see beautiful and lively places. And most of the time to well-known and touristic cities.
However, a couple of weeks ago, taking advantage of my stay for work reasons in the city of Valencia, I decided to visit some of the towns on the outskirts of Valencia that were affected by the serious floods that occurred at the end of November 2024, such as Paiporta and Alfafar.
Three months ago, in the week of the 28th of November, intense rainfall of almost 1000 litres/m3 for a long period of time shook the lives of the inhabitants of the Valencian Community and in particular the inhabitants of the southern area of Valencia in the towns of Paiporta, Catarroja, Alfafar, Benetúser, etc.
The videos available on YouTube are frankly shocking.
As are the images of the days and weeks that followed, with a multitude of premises flooded, cars piled up, and with the loss of more than 200 lives.
That's why I had in mind on my next visit to Valencia, I had between my eyebrows to go to this area to see the traces of the catastrophe. And to be able to help, even if only by making a purchase to help the shopkeepers who have managed to reopen a business.
In the town of Alfafar I started my visit to the so-called ground zero of the tragedy. Specifically, in the commercial area where I was impressed by the large number of vehicles piled up.
I drove through the streets with my vehicle and my heart trembled at the sight of so many vehicles piled up, full of mud and putting myself in the situation of their owners.
There were cars and more cars. And also other vehicles such as motorbikes that were washed away by the torrential waters. It is estimated that there are more than 100,000 damaged vehicles. A real pain.
Paiporta was the municipality hardest hit by the tragedy and was the destination I went to after visiting the large vehicle cemetery in Alfafar.
The day was rainy, I found very few people on the street and I parked my vehicle easily next to the bed of the Rambla del Pollo. A place that overflowed its banks 3 months ago.
It is impressive, very impressive, as one of the few bridges that resisted presented three months later, a still terrifying aspect with uprooted lampposts, destroyed retaining walls, remains of vehicles and some fences that were previously protecting the bridge.
But even more terrifying is the sight of the commercial ground floor, with the witness of the height of the water imprinted on the walls and columns.
It is very impressive to see that help is left behind in the doorways and on the ground floor. Like boxes of basic products such as milk.
And one is moved to see how the inhabitants wrote their thanks in mud to the volunteers who poured in during the days and weeks following the tragedy.
I wandered the streets, looking to see if there was anywhere to help clean up or do my bit. But I couldn't find anywhere to help. At the time I went it was Paiporta, a ghost town.
Walking through the streets, I found the sports centre and some soldiers who are still helping in the clean-up and reconstruction of the area.
As you walk through the streets you discover that the area is in need of a lot of help.
During my visit I found a small bar where I could have a coffee and chat with the owners. They explained to me how hard they had had it and how grateful they were that a traveller had decided to go to Paiporta to walk through its streets and to have a drink in their bar. But every traveller who spends money there is money that helps them to get by.
So, if you are visiting Valencia. Go to the affected areas and spend money in their bars and shops. They will thank you and if you also spread the word about how things are, we will make sure they are not forgotten.
Best regards.
Cover and separators created with https://www.canva.com (free version).
Pictures taken with my iPhone 13.
