Photo credit: DW
Natalie Semono
The European Union experienced its worst flooding in over a decade in 2024, with nearly a third of its rivers overflowing. The floods, exacerbated by human-driven climate change, caused widespread damage, particularly in Spain’s Valencia region and central and eastern Europe. The disasters resulted in over 300 deaths, affected 413,000 people, and incurred economic losses of at least €18 billion.
According to the Copernicus Climate Change Service and the UN’s World Meteorological Organization, 2024 was one of Europe’s 10 wettest years since 1950. Samantha Burgess of the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts noted that Europe experienced its most widespread flooding since 2013. Severe storms, including Storm Boris, brought heavy rainfall and flooding to central and eastern Europe, causing widespread damage. In Spain, torrential rains devastated the Valencia province.
While western Europe saw wetter-than-usual conditions, eastern Europe experienced drier and warmer weather on average. Scientists have linked climate change to the increased likelihood of heavy downpours, as a warmer atmosphere can hold more moisture. In 2024, atmospheric water vapor reached a record high. Additionally, factors like poor river management and urban planning, such as building in flood-prone areas, also contribute to flooding.
About The Author
