I was forced to hear neighbours’ dying screams as Spain floods swamped streets…it was like an apocalypse film, Brit says
A BRIT living in flood-ravaged Spain was forced to helplessly listen to his neighbours’ final screams for help as they were killed by surging water.
Jerome Torres, 49, said the horrifying swamped streets of Valencia looked like something out of an “apocalyptic” horror film.
The Brit was trapped in his fourth floor apartment in the town of Paiporta with his partner Pablo when the first storm surges hit on Tuesday evening.
At least 62 people in the region have already been confirmed dead with many more feared to have been wiped out in the terrifying conditions, authorities say.
Shocking footage filmed from Jerome’s apartment on the night of the flooding shows how the streets were flooded with flowing water.
Dozen of cars can be seen floating past the building and down a muddy, raging river.
Three people were killed on Jerome’s street alone, the Brit revealed.
Windows and doors on the bottom floor of the opposite homes could also be seen submerged by the rising tides.
Jerome told The Sun: “The water was reaching horrendous levels and we were hearing neighbours that were trapped in their ground floor houses starting to shout but it was impossible to go outside because of the strength of the water.
“We could hear people shouting that were being taken by this urban river in our streets.
“The neighbours on higher floors were throwing ropes and bedding to try to help people so that they could catch something and try to get out of the water.”
A 90-year-old lady living on the ground floor next to Jerome’s building miraculously survived by standing on a piece of furniture as water rushed into her home.
She was trapped for over four hours before the water began to subside and neighbours could carry her to safety.
Jerome added: “In front of her house, there was a mound of mud, a meter and a half high.
“It was very slippery and very difficult to navigate but they managed to do it. It took about 40 minutes to get her out.”
Jerome only managed to leave his flat hours afterwards in the morning.
He found shelter in his aunt’s house and returned home later that day only to be met with a scene of horror.
“The day that we came back and saw the devastation, it was completely unrecognisable.
“It felt like an American Hollywood film. It was apocalyptic.”
Jerome blames the local government for failing to warn residents of the coming danger.
He said: “The president of the region was on the radio saying there was no risk of flooding, so we thought we were safe. It was a death trap for many.”
Initially, they received “absolutely no help at all” from the regional authorities, he said.
It comes as enraged residents of Paiporta hurled mud at Spanish King Felipe VI on Sunday when he visited the town following the disaster.
Locals shouted “Get out! Get out!” and “Killers!” at the royal as police stepped in to keep back the crowd.
The flood was caused by downpour in the mountains above the Spanish region of Valencia. No warnings were issued by the local authorities until two hours after the deluge tore through Paiporta.
Many roads remain blocked by piles of vehicles swept through the town by tsunami-like waters.
Authorities have confirmed 217 deaths in the floods across Valencia but the search for bodies continues.
The death toll is expected to rise to about 400, making it Europe’s deadliest flash flood in five decades.
So far, three Brits have died after an elderly couple was confirmed dead this morning.
Don Turner, 78, and his wife, Terry, 74 were found in the town of Pedralba near Valencia.
The pair’s daughter, Ruth O’Loughlin, from Burntwood, Staffordshire, confirmed her parents’ bodies were found in their car on Saturday.
She told the BBC they had moved to Spain ten years ago as they “always wanted to live in the sunshine”.
Ruth said she had last spoken to them before they disappeared adding that her mum had been complaining about the rain.
Another Brit aged 71, died in hospital last week after he was rescued by boat from his flooded home near Malaga.
Officials believe another 2,000 people remain missing.
A red alert has now also been issued for Barcelona after the catastrophic flash floods.
Spain’s weather service has issued a red warning of “extreme danger” and urged people not to travel “unless strictly necessary.”