In late September the Asheville, North Carolina metro area and nearby was hit hard by the remnants of Hurricane Helene (more). In late October Valencia, Spain and nearby experienced catastrophic rains caused by the high altitude collision of warm and cold air (more) sometimes called a gota fria (cold drop).
Some comparisons:
Asheville Three Day Precipitation Total (September 25-27): 13.99 inches. But not far away, totals were double and more. At Busick, North Carolina near Mt. Mitchell over 30 inches were recorded over the same three days (here).
Valencia One Day Precipitation Total) (October 29): 11.8 inches. A few miles inland — and upstream — the total precipitation was measured at over 19 inches.
Population of metro Asheville: 417,000
Population of metro Valencia: 1,580,000
Asheville Storm-related Fatalities: 42
Valencia Storm-related Fatalities: approaching 200 (still being recovered)
Elevation of Asheville: 2130 feet
Elevation of Valencia: 50 feet
Mean stream level of French Broad River (discharging into the Tennessee River): 1.78 feet. It flooded to over 20 feet.
The stream level of the Turia River (more and more and more) (discharging into the Mediterranean Sea) is usually less than one foot. Like the Los Angeles River, during most of the year the Turia runs close-to-dry. There is, however, a well-known pattern of catastrophic flooding especially in September-October such as in 1957, 1895, and 1776. On October 29 river levels exceeded 15 feet in some places.
Two very different places experience similar extreme weather. Disruption, destruction, and death shake both areas. The physical impact on Valencia is more concentrated in time and involves a more densely concentrated population than at Asheville. Consequences are, as a result, amplified.
Comparing Valencia oranges to tart Carolina apples is treacherous. But once again we seem to confirm that Risk = (Threat x or / Vulnerability) x Consequences. In the case of Asheville and Valencia, Vulnerability was, perhaps, roughly equal (some further vulnerability assessments are needed in both places). Valencia’s peak Threat was concentrated in one-third the elapsed time. Valencia’s Consequences included at least 3-times more spatial concentration of people.