The recent DANA storm in Valencia, Spain has devastated the area, causing severe flooding that left thousands of vehicles, homes, and businesses submerged.
José María Vilar from Aldaia recounts horrifying scenes, describing how “cars were floating like paper boats,” piling up on each other and creating blockages, writes El Confidential.
As water poured into homes, Vilar was unable to save his possessions, and his newly purchased electric car was rendered unusable.
A massive transportation crisis
He is one of thousands now facing limited mobility due to the destruction of around 100,000 vehicles across the region, which has resulted in a massive transportation crisis as public transit lines are also out of service.
The aftermath has spurred solidarity efforts and digital innovations aimed at helping those affected.
One initiative, "Anem!"—meaning "Let's go" in Valencian—was launched by the startup GuruWalk, providing a platform where residents in need can find shared rides.
The app displays a map with icons indicating users seeking or offering rides, with over 1,600 trips registered within days of launch.
Another effort, "Tucochedana.es," was spearheaded by René Molina, a student at the Polytechnic University of Valencia.
His platform allows people to register the location of abandoned cars, enabling owners to search for their lost vehicles using license plate numbers.
Meanwhile, the Insurance Compensation Consortium has mobilized to address compensation claims, having already registered over 72,000 requests, with 44,200 related to damaged vehicles.
Nearly half of these claims are already in processing. Insurers are evaluating the costs to repair or replace vehicles, declaring many as total losses due to the extensive water damage.
As a result, the demand for new and used vehicles has surged, creating shortages, especially among affordable models.
