Spanish authorities report that at least 51 people died as a result of the devastation…

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) – Spanish authorities said Wednesday that at least 51 people died in flash floods that swept away cars, turned rural streets into rivers and damaged railways and highways in the worst natural disaster to hit the European nation since recent.

Emergency services in the eastern region of Valencia have confirmed the death toll.

Tuesday’s storms caused flooding across a large area of ​​southern and eastern Spain. Floods of mud-colored water threw vehicles onto the streets at alarming speeds. Pieces of wood swirled with household items. Police and emergency services used helicopters to get people out of their homes and cars.

Authorities reported several people missing late Tuesday evening, but the next morning came the shocking news that dozens of bodies had been found.

More than 1,000 soldiers from Spanish crisis response units were sent to the devastated areas.

“Yesterday was the worst day of my life,” Ricardo Gabaldón, mayor of Utiel, a town in Valencia, told national broadcaster RTVE. He said there were still some people missing in his town.

“We were trapped like rats. There were cars and garbage containers on the streets. The water level rose to three meters,” he added.

Spain has experienced similar autumn storms in recent years, but this is nothing compared to the destruction that has occurred over the last two days.

A high-speed train with almost 300 people on board derailed near Malaga, although railway authorities say no one was injured. The high-speed rail link between Valencia and Madrid has been interrupted, as have several suburban lines.

Valencia region president Carlos Mazón urged people to stay at home so as not to complicate rescue operations, as traveling on roads is already difficult due to fallen trees and wrecked vehicles.

Spain’s central government has established a crisis committee to help coordinate rescue operations.

The rain in Valencia stopped late Wednesday morning. But more storms were forecast through Thursday, according to Spain’s national weather service.

Spain is still recovering from the severe drought that hit it earlier this year. Scientists say extreme weather is becoming more common possibly linked to climate change.