The 1983 Spanish floods were a natural disaster that occurred between 26 and 27 August 1983 in northern Spain, particularly in the Biscay region of Spain, where the Aste Nagusia – the Bilbao city festival – had been taking place. The flood resulted in significant damage to property and caused the deaths of 34 people, with another five unaccounted for.[1] The flood led to preventive measures being put in place and the redevelopment of Bilbao's riverside.
| Date | 26–27 August 1983 |
|---|---|
| Location | northern Spain |
| Deaths | 34 deaths, 5 disappeared |
| Property damage | 150 billion pesetas[1] |
Background
editPrior to the 1983 flood, the Biscay region had experienced at least 42 floods since 1403, though none of the recent ones had resulted in fatalities.[1]
Flooding
editAbnormally heavy rainfall in the Gipuzkoa region on 25 August caused the Deba, Oria and Urola rivers to burst their banks, causing flooding in the neighbouring towns.[1] Further heavy rainfall early on the 26th at the confluence of the Nervión and Ibaizabal rivers led to extreme flooding in the city of Bilbao.[1] Heavy rain continued until 9am on the 27th.[2] This caused significant destruction to Bilbao's Casco Viejo district, seriously damaging some historic buildings, with water three metres deep in some places.[2] Over 5,000 residents had to be evacuated.[3]
Response and aftermath
editThe fire services, police and military arrived to help from all over the country.[2] Following the tragedy, the Basque regional government devised a flood prevention plan, and spent the 2024 equivalent of hundreds of millions of euros on measures to prevent and mitigate the risks,[1] including the installation of early-warning alerts and the provision of drainage systems.[3] The regional government also began to redevelop Bilbao's riverside areas.[4]
These were the costliest floods in Spain until the October 2024 floods.[5]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f Sanz de Galdeano Equiza, José María; Urquijo Luengo, Aitziber (Autumn 2023). "The August 1983 floods in the Basque Country: events and lessons". www.consorsegurosdigital.com. Retrieved 31 October 2024.
- ^ a b c "Bilbao recuerda con tristeza y orgullo las trágicas inundaciones de hace 40 años" [Bilbao remembers with sadness and pride the tragic floods of 40 years ago]. EFE (in Spanish). Spain. 25 August 2023. Retrieved 31 October 2024.
- ^ a b "'Agosto del 83: cuando Bilbao resurgió del lodo', un eco en la actualidad de la DANA que azota Valencia" ['August 83: when Bilbao rose from the mud', an echo of the DANA that is ravaging Valencia]. Cadena Sur (in Spanish). Spain. 30 October 2024. Retrieved 31 October 2024.
- ^ Holt, Laura (23 April 2015). "Bilbao: How the city has remade itself along the river". The Independent. Retrieved 31 October 2024.
- ^ "Spain floods death toll rises to 158 as rescuers comb for survivors". BBC News. 30 October 2024. Retrieved 31 October 2024.