Overview
- Two severe DANA events over the past two years have left roughly 233 people dead, about 2,000 injured and nearly two million Valencians affected in varying degrees, concentrating damage across L'Horta Sud, La Ribera Alta and nearby comarcas.
- The judicial instruction into the 29 October 2024 flood remains open and affected communities say they have seen no clear progress on the large structural projects—such as river diversion or reinforced drainage—that experts and residents say are needed to reduce future flood risk.
- The PSOE has named Pilar Bernabé as its lead candidate for Valencia and the PP has chosen María José Catalá while placing the mayors of Utiel and Algemesí high on its list, a strategy that foregrounds local ties to the disaster.
- Many residents report anger at what they describe as an absent State response in the days after the 2024 disaster, and repeated extreme‑weather alerts such as ES‑Alert have left communities feeling vulnerable and distrustful of emergency management.
- The second anniversary of the 29‑Oct flood falls during the 29‑N pre‑campaign, making flood response, accountability and concrete mitigation plans likely focal points in coming debates and a signal to watch for campaign promises on infrastructure and emergency reform.