Valencia CF is last in the Spanish top league after a tough start to the season. On Saturday, Real Madrid was supposed to visit. In the afternoon, the expected message arrived that the match would be postponed – and after the severe weather that swept over the region, the focus is on something other than football.
In a short time, as much rain fell as usually comes in a year. The rain created a flood wave – witnesses describe it as a tsunami – that swept away almost everything in its path.
A hundred people are confirmed dead in the worst floods in living memory. An unknown number of people are missing, and many residents have had their homes destroyed by the water masses. Rescue personnel and volunteers are searching for people who may have been trapped in cars or elsewhere.
Therefore, the football arena is open to people in need, and staff at the arena are offering food and other necessities.
"Mestalla will be at the service of the city to deal with the emergency situation caused by the floods", the club informs.
"We are truly devastated and want to reiterate our solidarity with the victims and the affected families. We are at the disposal of the authorities to help in any way possible", writes Valencia CF.
The match Villarreal–Rayo Vallecano is also postponed, as are three matches in the second division.
A minute's silence will be held at all Spanish football matches next weekend to honor the victims of the weather disaster.
