Climate change helps explains why the storms and floods were so extreme. But questions have emerged about whether communication failures contributed to the toll.

New storms in Spain have caused school closures and train cancellations two weeks after flash floods in Valencia and other areas killed more than 220 people and destroyed thousands of homes.

In response, the Catholic Church has expressed its pain and condolences over the tragedy and Caritas has launched a special campaign. The flash flooding is considered the third largest natural disaster in Spain’s contemporary history,

Spain’s catastrophic floods have left behind staggering devastation and despair. But the numbers associated with the tragedy can also help grasp the scope of the natural disaster.

The flash floods were caused by heavy rain, which by Wednesday morning had begun "easing off," according to the country's meteorological agency.

Coastal areas of Valencia were placed under the highest alert on Wednesday evening, with up to 7 inches of rain in the forecast.

Spaniards brace for further heavy rain and storms just two weeks after deadly flash floods in Valencia:: Malaga, Spain:::: Miguel Espinosa, Resident and civil servant“People are very worried because five years ago the river rose almost one meter over the street level.