The catastrophic flash floods that killed at least 158 people in eastern Spain were one of the three most intense such storms in the last century in the Valencia region

The flash floods that hit Spain on Tuesday and Wednesday have been labelled the deadliest natural disaster to hit the country in decades, with an official death toll of 158

Monstrous flash floods in Spain claimed at least 158 lives, with 155 deaths confirmed in the eastern Valencia region alone. An unknown number of people are still missing and more victims could be found. Crews searched for bodies in stranded cars and sodden buildings Thursday. Human-caused climate change made Spain’s rainfall about 12% heavier and doubled the likelihood of a storm as intense as this week’s deluge of Valencia, according to a rapid but partial analysis Thursday by World Weather Attribution.

So far, 155 people have been reported dead in the region, with at least three more having died in other regions.

Various factors, including drivers becoming trapped in their cars, poor planning by officials and extreme rainfall being exacerbated by climate change are all likely to have contributed.

People are warned to 'be very careful' and 'not be complacent' as conditions remain dangerous