Shocking satellite images show extent of Valencia flood disaster

Shocking satellite images show the extent of the Valencia flood disaster.

Spain is suffering its worst flood in decades after torrential rains struck the eastern province. The storm has left more than and has devastated the Valencia region.

In response, the Copernicus Emergency Rapid Mapping Service has been activated to provide satellite imagery that can support rescue and recovery efforts.

Copernicus is the Earth observation component of the European Union's space programme.

Images from the US Landsat-8 satellite vividly illustrate the scale of the disaster, with observations from 8 October and 30 October showing the dramatic transformation of the landscape.

According to Spain's national weather agency, Aemet, on 29 October, Valencia received a year's worth of rain in just eight hours.

This deluge caused devastating flash floods, turning streets into rivers, destroying homes, and sweeping away vehicles.

Now, an orange weather alert is in place across the as the is heading towards the .

Vice President and Economic Minister of the Balearic government, Antoni Costa, is urging people to exercise "maximum caution" with heavy rain forecast.

The deluge of rain is expected to reach the archipelago on Friday, with 50 litres of downpours per square metre forecast.