As we near the end of 2024, extreme weather has wreaked havoc on multiple geographic areas.
Here in the US, we've most recently had the devastation wrought by Hurricanes Helene and Milton, which is now exacerbated by an outbreak of dengue fever in both Florida and North Carolina in the hurricanes' aftermath.
In the Philippines and Vietnam, Tropical Storm Trami has killed over 100 people even more recently than those two US hurricanes.
And on October 29, in Valencia, Spain, flash floods have killed at least 70 people (and likely more) after an astonishing 343 millimeters (that's 13.5 inches) of rain inundated the area in a period of just four hours.
The scale of the flooding currently unfolding in Valencia, Spain is unfathomable. This is footage from Chiva, where a jaw-dropping 343 mm of rain was recorded in just 4 hours earlier today, between 4:30 PM and 8:30 PM.
— Nahel Belgherze (@WxNB_) October 29, 2024
Video credit: Nalabcer pic.twitter.com/WdCgUifavQ
Power outages are rampant in the area, with hundreds of thousands of people left without power in the wake of the torrential downpours. Infrastructure took a major hit, and the storm is continuing to travel north through the country as of October 30.
Local residents and officials alike are just doing their best to get through the disaster right now. That includes many who live near and work at the nearby Circuit Ricardo Tormo, which was set to be the site of the 2024 MotoGP championship grand finale from November 15 through 17.
According to our colleagues at Motorsport.com, MotoGP organizers have so far expressed their support for the survivors, as well as their condolences to those in the area affected by the disaster. They stress that while members of the circuit staff have, so far, managed to escape harm, the access roads and exteriors of the circuit have suffered some damage.
They also add that "We’ve been informed that the Grand Prix track itself seems to be in good condition although a full evaluation is still ongoing. As you will all understand, it would be both insensitive and irresponsible to talk about the event at the current time. The focus must continue to be on helping those affected and the circuit is currently being used as a relief [center]. As MotoGP we must try to help in anyway possible."
The most important thing right now is helping all the people who live in the affected area. While it seems inevitable that the numbers of people killed and injured will rise, because that's always what happens after disasters like these, here's hoping that as many people as possible can get the help and support they need in a timely way.
As for MotoGP Valencia, if the race is canceled, rescheduled, or relocated, we will be sure to update this post with the most current information once that information is available.
