Devastating floods in Spain monitored by satellite imagery

Devastating floods in Spain monitored by satellite imagery
by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Nov 08, 2024

Torrential rains have unleashed catastrophic flash floods across southern and eastern Spain, with some of the most significant impacts seen in Costa del Sol and Valencia. Satellite technology has become essential in assessing the scope of the destruction in these flood-ravaged regions.

The Magro, Turia, and Poyo river basins bore the brunt of the storms, which triggered powerful floods that swept through villages, washed away structures, and left streets submerged. According to Aemet, Spain's national weather service, the Valencia area saw rainfall levels usually recorded over a year in just eight hours. The deluge has resulted in the deaths of over 200 people, displaced thousands, and left many still unaccounted for.

Meteorologists attribute this extreme weather to an isolated high-altitude, low-pressure system, locally called DANA, which formed when a cold front interacted with warm, humid air over the Mediterranean. This combination led to stationary storms, elevating the risk of widespread flooding.

Earth observation satellites have provided vital imagery and data, supporting emergency response teams with real-time analysis and detailed damage assessments. The Landsat-8 satellite from the United States captured one of the first clear images of the affected zones on October 30, documenting the dramatic alteration of the landscape.

The Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellites have also recorded extensive flooding in Valencia, highlighting the stark transformation of the terrain. Sentinel-1 radar images taken on October 19 and 31 revealed extensive flooding within Albufera National Park, a protected area near Valencia's coast that neighbors densely populated areas.

In response to the flooding, Spain's Directorate-General for Civil Protection and Emergencies activated the Copernicus Emergency Rapid Mapping Service (EMS) on October 29 to produce maps displaying flood severity and extent. The first of these maps was published on October 31, based on data from the GeoEye satellite.

Subsequent maps and analyses showed the full scope of the damage: approximately 4,100 hectares of land, 3,906 buildings, and critical infrastructure, including around 15 kilometers of rail and 531 kilometers of roads, were impacted in Horta Sud, where around 60,000 people reside. On November 2, a Sentinel-based map revealed nearly 15,633 hectares of flooded terrain, affecting about 190,000 people.

Further support came from the International Charter 'Space and Major Disasters,' activated by Spain's Civil Protection Agency on November 1. This charter, which brings together Earth observation resources from multiple space agencies and private data providers worldwide, operates on a best-effort, no-cost basis to support major disaster responses. Through established data-sharing agreements, Copernicus EMS and the Charter have been able to coordinate efforts effectively in Spain's recovery operations.

ESA Director of Earth Observation Programmes, Simonetta Cheli, emphasized the importance of satellite support in managing disaster responses. "Space-based observation plays an invaluable role during natural disasters like the recent floods in Spain," Cheli stated. "Our mission is to rapidly coordinate with partners through the International Charter and the Copernicus Emergency Mapping Service to deliver critical, real-time Earth observation data to aid emergency teams on the ground. We are committed to supporting rescue and relief efforts, providing the data needed to assess the damage and ensure timely response in affected communities."

ESA's SMOS mission has also contributed, with satellite data collected on October 29 showing high soil moisture levels around Valencia and other regions, indicating the extensive ground saturation. The SMOS satellite, which specializes in measuring soil moisture over land, utilizes L-band microwave radiometry to produce soil moisture maps, crucial in assessing flood aftermaths.

Additionally, high-resolution images from the Pleiades Neo satellite, part of ESA's Third Party Mission, were captured on October 31 and provided for the Disaster Charter. Managed by CNES (Centre national d'etudes spatiales), these images offer a detailed view of the destruction wrought by the flooding across Valencia.