6 FRIDAY 20TH SEPTEMBER 2019 www.weekender.news Seven dead and thousands displaced as ferocious flooding decimates Costa Blanca It is the early hours of Friday the 13th, skies fill with intense blue white light and the monstrous black pendulous clouds break open to the intense crash of thunder. You would be forgiven for believing this is the opening scene of the latest John Carpenter blockbuster. Yet this was a horror scene in reality. One which has taken the ultimate price. As the storm was approaching, I, as many seasoned “Ex-pats”, prepared myself, my family and my house, for the worst. But our fears became the reality for many of the Costa Blanca finest. The Murcian Government declared a red alert and closed schools across the entire area on Wednesday 11th September, and with very good cause as <strong>South</strong> Eastern Spain hosted the largest storm it has seen in nearly 150 years. Some areas recorded record levels of rainfall, torrential downpours, filling rivers to burst. The banks split open, as thousands were evacuated with only minutes to spare, before cars gardens and even houses were by Alex Trelinski washed away to nothing. Thousands forced from their homes as 300,000 hectares of farm lands were decimated. The military were called into the Vega Baja area to evacuate and save people trapped inside their vehicles, businesses and homes. Over the course of the 24 hours of Friday 13th September, houses were literally washed from their foundations, thousands of cars floated along rivers of muddy water, flood waters trapped people on the top floor of houses with no electricity or communications, as the Government of Murcia saw its lands turned into a disaster zone. It was the ‘most devastating storm since 1879, when flooding killed over 1,000 in Murcia and Orihuela,’ Six lives have been claimed by the ‘Gota Fria,’ officially known as an ‘upper-level isolated depression’ or ‘DANA.’ On the AP7 motorway to Orihuela, cars lined the sides of the roads, on end, overturned, in something which would not be out of place in a warzone. Hundreds of vehicles, in a long line of destruction. The tunnel section of the AP7 motorway, passing through Pilar De La Horadada, filled with flood waters, to the point where little more than ducks may have passed through. And still now, as you read this, the water still has not dissipated. The Bull rings were filled with water to the brim, creating giant reservoirs of muddy waters. Tornadoes ravished lands and danced across the seas. One tornado pushing through the centre of Guadamar Del Segura, and even tore through a school, leaving destruction in its wake. Six people have lost their lives and to them we dedicate the clean-up and rebuilding of the Costa Blanca. To those six and their families, we will rebuild and make a stronger Costa Blanca. So far, the Costa Blanca has responded in great fashion. We have proven that together we stand. Having proudly contributed to many charity events over the last 5 years, I have seen many appeal efforts and I can tell you, in just five days, this has been monumental. Immediately, Big FM’s general Manager, Richard Sparks, began an appeal across both Radio Stations, Big FM and Big Radio Spain, asking people to bring donations to one of the drop off points, in association with Rojales Town Hall and the Social Services. Within 12 hours of the appeal, five truck loads had been filled and delivered to the people who most desperately needed it. 1,500 Euros in cash had been donated, along with masses of clothes, food, blankets, toiletries and necessary tools, to begin the cleanup. But that was only the beginning. This flow of help has only continued and will continue, through the generosity, human nature and community spirit, as more help continues to be brought every day. The Emerald Isle, Urbanización La Florida, Dehesa de Campoamor, <strong>Alicante</strong>, held a charity day on Tuesday 17th September and raised 3,700 Euros, with Help from Home Playa Flamenca. On Sunday 22nd, Villamartin Plaza will hold a massive charity day, with Help Vega Baja, with some huge acts, including Abba Elite, The New Jersey Boys Costa Blanca, and much, much more. So far, on the Villamartin GoFundMe page, for the relief fund, they have already raised nearly 5,000 Euros. On September 23rd, there will be an event at Flannigans, Entre Naranjos, 12pm until 6pm, including Al Joel, David John Williams, Jady Jazz and Shannon Campbell. Also 30th September, at La Union, La Marquesa, 12pm until 6pm, an event including Andy Jones, Jo Jo, Graeme Alexander as Bowie, Debbie H and Dean Alexander. The struggle is real, but together the Costa Blanca is proving its metal. United we stand, together we will achieve. Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner Our cosy American Diner has a beautiful American interior, 50s and 60s music and delicious food. Open 7 days a week from 10 am until late. Reservation recommended! C/ Aneto 16 | Benimar Commercial III | Benijófar 966 71 58 25 | www.theamericandinerbenimar.com
902 123 461 TM * O f f e r v a l i d f o r n e w c u s t o m e r s o n l y . S u b j e c t t o c o n d i t i o n s . E n d s 3 1 / 1 2 / 1 9 . The<strong>Weekender</strong>-260x340-BIKE02.indd 1 20/6/19 11:15