Apple donating to relief efforts after deadly flash floods in Valencia, Spain

Apple CEO Tim Cook has announced that the company will be making a donation to assist with relief efforts after deadly flash floods in Valencia, Spain.

At least 95 people are known to have been killed so far, and that number is likely to rise as an unknown number of people remain unaccounted for …

Deadly flash floods in Valencia, Spain

Torrential rains started at the beginning of the week, resulting in flash floods which ran through homes and carried cars down streets which quickly turned into rivers.

Before and after satellite photos from the European Space Agency (above) show the extent of the devastation.

According to Spain’s national weather agency, Aemet, on 29 October 2024, 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.

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

The Guardian reports that more than 1,000 people remain trapped on flooded roads.

On Thursday morning, the exact number of missing people remained unknown. Hours after the flash floods turned streets into rivers, ruining homes and sweeping away cars, more than 1,200 people reportedly remained trapped on highways, stranded among about 5,000 abandoned cars. Thousands more remained without electricity or phone service.

The defence minister, Margarita Robles, told Cadena Ser radio that a military unit specialising in rescue operations would on Thursday start combing through mud and debris with sniffer dogs in the worst-hit areas.

Asked if the number of victims was likely to increase, she said: “Unfortunately we are not optimistic.”

More heavy rain is expected later today, likely worsening the situation.

Apple donation for relief work

Cook tweeted Apple’s support.

We’re thinking of all those impacted by the devastating flash floods in the region of Valencia, Spain. Apple will be making a donation to help with relief efforts on the ground.

Apple typically makes unspecified donations to help relief work after major disasters across the US and around the world. Earlier this month the company did the same for those affected by Hurricane Milton in Florida.

The company doesn’t disclose the amounts donated in such cases, but they are likely substantial.

Satellite imagery: ESA