The death toll from the flood disaster that hit southern and eastern Spain, primarily impacting Valencia, has risen above 200. Rescue teams in Valencia and surrounding areas are working tirelessly to reach regions that remain inaccessible.

This disaster has been recorded as the largest natural catastrophe in Europe in the past 50 years. Temporary morgues established in the Valencian Community and ongoing weather alerts in Huelva underscore the severity of the situation.

The OLI satellite on NASA’s Landsat 8 captured this image (right) on October 30, showing the flooded urban and agricultural areas in Valencia. For comparison, the image on the left shows the same area in October 2022, also taken by Landsat 8.

To support disaster management, Needs Map Global has started monitoring the situation closely in the region. Through the newly launched Spain Flood Map, the goal is to increase data and information on the disaster, facilitating the establishment of informed and swift decision-making mechanisms and aiding in the response efforts.

A satellite image published by Maxar Technologies on Thursday, October 31, 2024, shows mud-covered fields, a damaged road, and a bridge submerged in Valencia.

Neighborhood-Level Impact Analysis with Geographic Data

The Flood Map brings together open-source geographic data and demographic analysis to support Spain’s disaster response efforts. It integrates building footprint data from OpenStreetMap with neighborhood population data from Esri Living Atlas to estimate population density and the number of affected individuals in flood-concentrated areas.

MODIS satellite data, also used in the Flood Map, includes a map tracking water inundations throughout October 2024. Data from METI/NASA and USGS helps provide a clearer understanding of the disaster’s impact on land, infrastructure, and local communities. This data enables an assessment of the disaster’s effects grounded in numerical analysis.

According to estimated data from the Spain Flood Map, 453,694 people have been affected by the flood, with 17,025 buildings sustaining damage. Visit the Spain Flood Map platform to view the latest data and learn more about the impacted areas.

For the Spanish platform: https://needsmap.coop/mapa-de-inundaciones-es/
For the English platform: https://needsmap.coop/mapa-de-inundaciones-en/

We hope the Flood Map will aid in accessing affected areas, understanding impacted populations, directing resources effectively, and supporting recovery efforts.

About Needs Map

Needs Map is a social cooperative that connects those in need with individuals, institutions, and organizations willing to offer support. Established in 2015 as a non-profit Social Cooperative, Needs Map facilitates cooperation and solidarity in fields such as education, health, and arts and culture through spatial data technology and community-based verification. 

For more information:

Needs Map: needsmap.coop

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