The Anniversaries series captures events or anniversaries that have marked the collective memory. Among them, the tragic impact of an High-Level Isolated Depression (DANA) on the Valencian Community in 2024 stands out. This devastating meteorological event caused one of the worst natural disasters in recent Spanish history. The consequences were tragic: human losses, extensive property damage, and severe hardships for the affected population. Although this meteorological phenomenon—popularly known as Agota Frán in the Mediterranean—affected other autonomous communities in the country, it was in the metropolitan area of Valencia where the consequences were most severe, due to the high number of victims.
On October 29, 2024, torrential rains caused riverbeds and ravines to overflow, triggering flash floods, especially in the south of the capital (Horta Sud), where an unprecedented hydrological emergency was declared. The final death toll reached 237, making it one of the most serious crises in contemporary Spain.
Valencia, historically vulnerable to flooding, had diverted the course of the Turia River decades earlier through the Plan Sur (South Plan), a hydraulic project that protected the city's urban core. However, this protection did not extend to the outlying municipalities, crossed by torrents such as El Poyo, La Saleta, and Picassent, which violently overflowed their banks, flooding the surrounding towns with water and mud. Beyond the magnitude of the disaster, the tragedy also left an indelible lesson: the example of solidarity and collaboration of an entire community.
In the midst of adversity, residents, volunteers, and organizations demonstrated an exceptional spirit of unity and commitment, working together to overcome difficulties and provide support to those most in need. This display of empathy and solidarity reflects the strength and unity of all spheres of society, leaving an indelible mark that will live on in the memory of an entire country. In tribute to the victims and as a symbol of collective remembrance, Correos is issuing a stamp bearing the motto "With You, Today, Tomorrow, and Always," a tangible testament to memory, solidarity, and hope that will accompany future generations as a reminder of society's strength and resilience in the face of adversity.
