I wandered down Malvarossa beach to Patacona, the day after Storm Gloria smashed into the coast. Storm Gloria has claimed at least eight lives since it began smashing the region with rain, snow, and hail on Monday, leaving more than 200,000 people without power, flattening coastal buildings, destroying rice paddies and triggering weather alerts in more than 30 provinces.

Three people are still reported missing and waves reached a record 13.5m, port authorities said. It was described as the worst storm since 2003 “and likely of this century”, said the head of Barcelona’s beach services, Dani Palacios.

More info: streetsofvalencia.com