Sánchez pledges flood recovery aid as deadly storm prompts call for national climate pact

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez pledged government financial aid and expedited recovery procedures for communities impacted by Storm Adam, which left four people dead and triggered numerous rescues in the Valencia region. During a visit to the emergency command center in Oliva on Tuesday, Sánchez announced that the Cabinet would approve formal disaster status for all affected municipalities in the coming weeks, a step officially recognizing areas severely affected by a civil protection emergency.

This move is expected to bolster the recovery effort by ensuring the provision of financial resources and accelerated public procurement to restore normalcy as swiftly as possible.

Storm Adam, linked to a Spanish weather phenomenon known as DANA, prompted the regional government to order residents in up to 145 municipalities across Valencia and Alicante to remain indoors. Sánchez, alongside Valencian regional president Juanfran Pérez Llorca, visited the command center alongside residents who mingled their applause and boos.

The prime minister expressed condolences to the families of the deceased, praised the cooperation between national and regional authorities, and emphasized that Spain's civil protection system unites various services, stating, “Ultimately, we are all in this together.” Sánchez also called for a comprehensive national agreement on the climate emergency, arguing that such cooperation should extend beyond immediate disaster responses to mitigate and adapt to long-term climate realities.