Apple CEO Tim Cook has announced that the company will make a donation to help with relief efforts following the deadly floods in Valencia, Spain.
At least 95 people have reportedly died so far, and that number is likely to rise as an unknown number of people remain missing …
Deadly Flash Floods in Valencia, Spain
Heavy rains began earlier in the week, leading to floods that inundated homes and carried cars through streets that quickly turned into rivers.
Before and after satellite images from the European Space Agency (above) show the scale of the devastation.
A year's worth of rain fell in just eight hours in Valencia on October 29, 2024, according to Spain's national meteorological agency Aemet. The deluge caused devastating flash floods that turned streets into rivers, destroyed homes and washed away vehicles.
These images from the US satellite Landsat-8 vividly illustrate the scale of the disaster. Pictures from October 8 and 30 show the dramatic change in landscape.
The Guardian reports that more than 1,000 people remain trapped on flooded roads.
The exact number of missing people remained unknown Thursday morning. Hours after flash floods turned streets into rivers, destroying homes and sweeping away cars, more than 1,200 people were reportedly trapped on the highway, stranded among some 5,000 abandoned vehicles. Thousands of people were left without power and telephone service.
Defense Minister Margarita Robles told Cadena Ser radio that a military unit specializing in rescue operations would begin combing through mud and debris with sniffer dogs in the worst-hit areas on Thursday.
Asked whether the death toll could rise, she said: “Unfortunately, we are not optimistic.”
More rain is expected today, which will likely make the situation worse.
Apple donation for relief work
Cook tweeted his support for Apple.
Our thoughts are with everyone has been hit by devastating floods in the Valencia region of Spain. Apple will make a donation to help with relief efforts on the ground.
Apple typically makes unspecified donations to help with major disasters in the U.S. and around the world. Earlier this month, the company did the same for victims of Hurricane Milton in Florida.
The company does not disclose the amounts of donations in such cases, but they are likely significant.
Satellite imagery: ESA
