By David Latona, Corina Pons, Pietro Lombardi and Aislinn Laing PAIPORTA, Spain (Reuters) - The water was already knee-high on the ground floor of the hotel where Aitana Puchal had taken refugee when she received a text alert from the regional government of Valencia at 8 pm on Oct.

Something like this has not happened in Cadaques for many, many years.” Local media has reported that the intensity of the downpour has eased, however the dramatic incident comes as communities in Valencia continue mopping up after at least 219 people died in flash flooding in the worst event of its kind in decades.

Mixed messages and confusion cost lives, dozens of local residents and experts say. More than 220 people died and nearly 80 are still missing.