Barcelona, ​​Spain – Spanish authorities said on Wednesday that at least 51 people had died in the worst natural disaster to hit the European country in recent memory after flash floods washed away cars, turned village streets into rivers and shut down railways and highways.

Emergency services in the eastern Valencia region confirmed the death toll.

The Spanish King Felipe VI. said he was “devastated” by the flooding, Agence France-Presse reports.

Rainstorms caused flooding across much of southern and eastern Spain on Tuesday. Rushes of mud-colored water plunged vehicles through the streets at frightening speeds. Pieces of wood interspersed with household items. Police and emergency services used helicopters to lift people from their homes and cars.

Authorities reported several people missing late Tuesday, but the next morning came the shocking news that dozens had been found dead.

Parts of the Valencia region had no power and telephone lines were down, and some areas were cut off by flooded roads, regional chief Carlos Mazon told reporters, according to AFP.

Over 1,000 soldiers from the Spanish emergency operations were deployed to the devastated areas.

“Yesterday was the worst day of my life,” Ricardo Gabaldón, the mayor of Utiel, a town in Valencia, told national broadcaster RTVE. He said several people were still missing in his city.

“We were trapped like rats. Cars and dumpsters streamed through the streets. The water rose up to three meters,” he said.

Spain has experienced similar autumn storms in recent years, but nothing compared to the devastation of the last two days.

A high-speed train with nearly 300 people on board derailed near Malaga, although rail authorities said no one was injured. High-speed train service between the city of Valencia and Madrid was disrupted, as were several commuter lines.

Valencia regional president Carlos Mazón urged people to stay at home so as not to complicate rescue efforts, as access by road was already difficult due to fallen trees and destroyed vehicles.

The Spanish central government has set up a crisis committee to coordinate rescue efforts.

Rain had eased in Valencia by late Wednesday morning, but more storms were forecast through Thursday, according to Spain's national weather service.

Spain is still recovering from a severe drought earlier this year. Scientists believe the increase in extreme weather events is likely linked to this Climate change.