Spain is grappling with the aftermath of severe flooding that has hit regions like Valencia and now threatens Barcelona. Following a powerful storm last week that unleashed a year’s worth of rain over the Valencia area, rescue teams continue to search for missing individuals feared trapped in vehicles or underground spaces overwhelmed by floodwaters.

Catalonia, which includes Barcelona, is now on red alert for heavy rain as the latest storm system moves across the region. Reports show submerged cars and widespread flooding across Barcelona, particularly affecting El Prat airport, where over 80 flights were either canceled or delayed. Rail services were also suspended due to hazardous conditions.

The previous week’s flood event in Valencia has been deadly, claiming at least 217 lives. The storm caught people in vulnerable locations, such as car parks, tunnels, and garages. One particularly tragic incident involves a British couple in their 70s found dead in their car days after flash floods struck the area.

Rescue operations have been challenging, with teams carefully navigating through underground parking lots like the one in Aldaia, near Valencia. In Aldaia’s Bonaire shopping mall, water remains in parts of the car park, and drones are being used to gain a preliminary view before personnel are sent in. Police have confirmed that they inspected around 50 vehicles near the entrance without finding victims, but much of the car park remains inaccessible.

Public frustration is mounting over perceived delays in emergency response and inadequate warnings. During a visit to Paiporta, one of the hardest-hit towns, Spain’s King and Queen, along with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, were met with anger from residents, who threw mud and debris at the officials. Spain’s Civil Guard has since opened an investigation into these confrontations, which Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska attributed to “marginal groups.”

Spain’s Military Emergencies Unit (UME) pre-deployed 500 troops to Valencia, allowing them to start rescue efforts quickly once authorized. Additional reinforcements brought the total to 7,800 personnel by Monday evening, supported by thousands of volunteers and soldiers. A warship also delivered marines and emergency supplies to Valencia’s port. UME chief General Francisco Javier Marcos defended the response, stating that harsh weather and logistical obstacles created unavoidable delays.

Meanwhile, Catalonia is bracing for its own potential crisis. The Spanish meteorological agency Aemet has issued a red alert, warning of up to 8 cm of rainfall in some coastal regions, with localized downpours creating unpredictable flood risks. Experts say climate change has likely exacerbated the storm’s intensity, contributing to the devastation Spain now faces across multiple regions.