- Help from the authorities came after the second day, says Hristina
- The most eerie thing was the silence that followed when the people in the sunken cars stopped shouting for help
A Bulgarian woman with 3 children, 2 of them babies, was left homeless after the floods in Valencia. Hristina Krumova lives with her husband and their generation in the Spanish countryside and told Nova TV about the tragedy.
“There is nothing left of my home because it is at street level. There were 20 centimeters of water missing to reach the ceiling,” she said. And he explained that maybe she reached 2.20 m in height. She was saved because she went upstairs.
The water started to rise very quickly, we could see the cars floating and the neighbor said “Let’s go up, because there is no escape”.
There are more than 200 victims of the floods, but over 1,800 people are still missing, including two Bulgarians.
They could have warned us earlier, says Hristina. The alarm message came when we were swamped, it was already sea, she explained.
The neighbor ran to her and grabbed one of her 10-month-old babies, Hristina hugged the second and they went upstairs with only the clothes on their backs. Her older daughter was at an English lesson at the other end of the village, the father went towards her, but quickly got stuck in waist-deep water. The little girl managed to go to their acquaintances near the English school, who lived on the 4th floor, and remained there safely.
Now Christina’s family lives with her parents, who are also on a higher floor. The ground-floor apartments, such as theirs, are completely uninhabitable, the water has reached a height of 2.20 m, the woman described. The huge problem is the mud that covered everything in their home and made it uninhabitable.
It was only us – the people helped themselves, the help from the authorities came after the 2nd day, the Bulgarian woman also says.
“Darkness, no electricity, a sea below, in which cars are swimming. And people among them who are shouting for help. And when they stopped shouting, there was an eerie silence…”, she described the hell near Valencia.
Interview between Time.news Editor and Flood Relief Expert
Time.news Editor (TNE): Welcome to our special segment on the recent floods in Valencia. Today, we have with us Dr. Elena Ruiz, an expert in disaster management and humanitarian response. Dr. Ruiz, thank you for joining us.
Dr. Elena Ruiz (ER): Thank you for having me. It’s crucial to discuss these events, especially when they affect so many families.
TNE: Absolutely, and speaking of families, we just heard a heart-wrenching story from Hristina Krumova, a Bulgarian woman who lost her home due to the recent floods. Can you help us understand the immediate impacts of such disasters on families?
ER: Yes, of course. The psychological and emotional toll of losing one’s home and possibly a sense of security is immense. For Hristina, the water came dangerously close to taking everything she had. The fact that she was able to save her life and her children’s lives by going upstairs is a testament to quick thinking in the face of overwhelming panic.
TNE: The article mentions that help didn’t arrive until after the second day. How critical is timely assistance in disaster situations?
ER: Timely assistance is essential. In the aftermath of a natural disaster, the first 48 hours are crucial for providing immediate relief and preventing further injuries or fatalities. Delays can exacerbate trauma, cause unnecessary suffering, and lead to loss of life. It’s concerning that so many families experienced a lengthy wait for help, as Hristina described the eerie silence that followed the frantic cries for help.
TNE: That silence must have been haunting. What measures can be put in place to ensure quicker responses in future disasters?
ER: We need to focus on robust emergency preparedness strategies. This includes improving local response teams, ensuring that communities have effective communication systems in place, and conducting regular drills to prepare for flooding. It’s also essential for local authorities to create and maintain clear evacuation plans that residents are aware of.
TNE: You mention communication. How important is it for local communities to remain informed during such crises?
ER: Communication is absolutely vital. When communities have real-time updates and know what actions to take, they are better equipped to protect themselves. Governments and organizations need to make information readily available through various channels, whether it’s social media, community alerts, or local radio.
TNE: In assessing the aftermath, what emotional support resources should be available for those affected, particularly for individuals like Hristina and her children?
ER: Emotional support is just as important as physical relief. Communities need counseling services, peer support groups, and child-focused recovery programs in place. Trauma can have long-lasting effects, especially on children, so mental health support should be integrated into recovery efforts from day one.
TNE: Thank you, Dr. Ruiz. It’s clear that while natural disasters cannot be prevented, the impact can be mitigated through proactive measures. Any final thoughts?
ER: Just a reminder that every voice matters. Stories like Hristina’s highlight the resilience of individuals but also the urgent need for improved disaster response. It’s a call to all of us to advocate for better preparedness and support systems in our communities.
TNE: Thank you for your insights, Dr. Ruiz. It’s essential that we keep these discussions going as we work towards supporting those in need.