Storm Gloria Aftermath As Destruction Toll Rises

The damage left by Storm Gloria is still being assessed with widespread destruction in the Valencia and Alicante regions. These images show the damage done to homes on the popular Costa Blanca in Spain – with a swimming pool left hanging on an edge – after it was hit by storm Gloria.

The images were taken in the towns of Denia and Javea, both in the southeastern Spanish province of Alicante, Valencia region, where storm Gloria wreaked havoc.

According to reports, at least 10 houses were affected on the promenade of Les Deveses, in Denia, as well as restaurants and shops.

Images show a swimming pool left with no foundation after the land below it collapsed when it was battered by strong waves in the storm.

On the El Arenal promenade, in Javea, blocks of concrete separating the walkway from the beach were moved a few metres in some cases.

Les Deveses resident Maria told reporters it was “a catastrophe” as her house is by the beach and added “he city council did know what was going to happen. They did nothing to protect our houses and the sea destroyed them.”

Storm Gloria started on Sunday and has left a reported 13 people dead in Spain with five people missing.

The last person who died was an unnamed fisherman who was dragged by the water current in Ametlla de Mar, in Tarragona province, Catalonia region. Hours before, the body of a man was found inside his vehicle in Cabaces, also in Tarragona province.

Hugo Moran, the Secretary of State of the Environment, said to local media that the flooding is the “worst-case scenario”.

The Government of Catalonia has asked citizens of the towns located near the rivers Ter and Onyar not to leave their homes.

Spain’s President Pedro Sanchez has announced there will be a meeting today (Friday) to decide how to respond after the storm during a trip to affected areas in the Balearic Islands.

Catalonia remains on alert for strong rainstorm according to the State Meteorology Agency.