Torrential rains triggered flash floods in Catalonia on July 12, leaving two people missing near the town of Cubelles, about 50 kilometers (31 miles) from Barcelona. Firefighters continued search efforts along the Foix river, while Spain’s national weather agency issued red alerts for Catalonia and Aragon, warning of extreme rainfall of up to 60 liters per square meter (1.47 US gallons per square foot) in one hour.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez urged caution, advised against travel in high-risk areas, and confirmed the deployment of emergency troops to affected regions.
Extreme events like this are becoming more frequent with climate change—though the phenomenon is nothing new. History has recorded some truly terrifying floods: natural disasters that have killed thousands and destroyed homes and livelihoods.
Click through and be reminded of some of the worst floods on record.