East Sussex Woman’s Family Devastated by Spanish Floods

An East Sussex resident has shared an account of her family’s complete loss due to the recent severe flooding in Spain. Monica Cuenca Langa, residing in Brighton, stated that the inundation obliterated her two brothers’ enterprises in the Valencia region, along with two vehicles, personal belongings, and the residence of one brother. She remarked, “I am really grateful they are alive. But it is a big economic loss that’s going to take years to recover from.” Last week, over 200 individuals perished in Eastern Spain during one of Europe’s most severe floods this century, with additional inundations affecting the country’s north-east on Friday. Ms. Langa, employed as an assistant at the Sussex Eye Hospital, initiated a fundraising drive to support her relatives. She indicated that the collected funds would be allocated for fundamental necessities such as food, apparel, and medication. Having recently received a diagnosis for a chronic health condition, Ms. Langa explained that generating financial aid was her sole means of assistance, as she is unable to journey to Spain to provide direct support. She further commented, “The situation is just very, very sad.” Her brother, Julio Albir, and his wife, Soledad, both aged 48, suffered the loss of their hairdressing establishment, a garage containing personal belongings and a motorbike, and their family vehicle, which was discovered 1km from their residence in Sedavi. She also mentioned that their six-year-old child was experiencing nightmares, and as of Friday, they continued to lack gas and hot water. Ms. Langa reported that her other brother, Sergi Albir, lost his recently established photography studio and its equipment in the deluge, which constituted his source of income. She added that he resided in the basement of a building at Calle del Sol, Alfafar, and all his personal possessions were ruined. She stated that the 51-year-old lacked insurance coverage, having only relocated to the premises three months prior. He is currently residing at his elderly parents’ home in Valencia. Ms. Langa concluded, “They are fighting and getting better, but it’s just going to take so long.”