Spain is bracing for more severe weather as political tensions rise in the aftermath of last month’s devastating floods, which killed over 200 people and caused billions in damages. Fresh warnings for heavy rain, high waves, and strong winds have put regions like Valencia, Catalonia, and the Balearic Islands on high alert. Just two weeks after unprecedented rainfall led to deadly flash floods, thousands of residents are stacking sandbags and preparing for another storm that, though less intense, could have severe effects on the mud-soaked and damaged infrastructure.

Local media report that King Felipe VI plans to revisit Valencia, where his previous visit was met with public anger over the government’s delayed response to the crisis. Protests have surged across Spain, with over 100,000 people rallying in Valencia and Barcelona to demand accountability from local leaders. Critics blame right-wing officials in Valencia, as well as Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, for failing to address climate risks and ignoring scientists’ warnings about the increasing frequency of extreme weather.

The storm that struck on October 29 dumped a year’s worth of rain in just eight hours, leading to massive infrastructure collapse and widespread destruction of crops. Valencia’s emergency committee warns that the already saturated ground and overwhelmed sewage systems could make even a smaller storm devastating.

In response to the public outrage, Sánchez acknowledged the need for a political reckoning once the immediate crisis subsides. His administration has approved a second emergency relief package worth €3.8 billion ($3.15 billion USD) to support flood recovery efforts. He noted, “Once the clean-up is complete, there must be a serious discussion about our preparedness for such climate emergencies.”

Global leaders and climate scientists at the COP29 summit in Baku echoed these concerns. Mukhtar Babayev, the summit’s president, highlighted the urgency of addressing climate change, stating, “We are on a road to ruin,” and warned of more frequent and intense weather events without significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. Jim Skea, head of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), emphasized that the recent disasters in Valencia are only a glimpse of the “new normal” as global warming accelerates.

The crisis in Spain underscores the critical need for immediate climate action. As Pope Francis urged prayers for Valencia, he also expressed hope that the COP29 conference would drive meaningful progress toward protecting the planet and its people.