What to know about unprecedented floods that killed more than 200 in Spain

Firefighters walk during the clean up operation after flooding in Massanassa on the outskirts of Valencia, Spain (Alberto Saiz/AP)

In a matter of minutes, flash floods caused by heavy downpours in eastern Spain swept away almost everything in their path.

With no time to react, people were trapped in vehicles, homes and businesses. Many died and thousands of livelihoods were shattered.