Juan Francisco Pérez Llorca, who has just assumed the presidency of the Valencian Community, chose the city of Picanya for his first public visit. This municipality was among the hardest hit by the devastating flood caused by the DANA in October 2024. The new regional leader’s visit was a gesture of support and solidarity with the residents, who are still struggling with the aftermath of the disaster.
Accompanied by the socialist mayor of Picanya, Josep Almenar, Pérez Llorca walked through the city streets, inspecting damaged sites and talking with local business owners. He paid special attention to a fashion and design store that had been completely destroyed by the floodwaters. Its owner, Nani Navarro, did not hide her frustration over delays in insurance payouts and called on authorities to act immediately to restore the infrastructure.
Political background
While Pérez Llorca was meeting with residents, a scandal erupted in political circles over a leaked correspondence between former emergency advisor Salomé Pradas and the chief of staff of ex-president Carlos Mazón. These messages, sent at the height of the disaster, became public knowledge more than a year after the tragedy, sparking a wave of criticism against the previous regional administration.
Journalists pressed Pérez Llorca about the contents of these messages and why information about them remained unknown for so long. The new president admitted that during the days of the disaster, regional authorities were unprepared for such a large-scale emergency, and noted that the lack of proper coordination and timely response worsened the situation for those affected.
Recovery and new initiatives
During his visit, Pérez Llorca emphasized that rebuilding the city and supporting victims remain top priorities for his administration. He announced the creation of a dedicated office that will handle assistance for DANA victims and coordinate restoration efforts. According to him, the work will proceed “from village to village, from neighbor to neighbor,” to ensure that no one affected is left unattended.
Addressing the region’s residents, Pérez Llorca expressed regret over mistakes made by the previous administration and promised that the new team would act with greater openness and responsibility. He noted that he has already spoken directly with some victims to hear their stories and better understand their most urgent needs.
Public response
Local residents and business owners who spoke with the president expressed hope for a faster recovery process and for the promised compensation to be delivered. Many are still unable to return to normal life due to destroyed homes and businesses. The owner of a damaged store shared that she was offered help by well-known entrepreneur Juan Roig, while official payments are still delayed.
Authorities have promised to speed up the review of compensation applications and to strengthen oversight of fund distribution. Peres Llórka also called on other levels of government, including the central government, to show greater responsibility and cooperation in addressing the aftermath of the disaster.
On the same day, an extraordinary meeting of the Valencia government was held, where new support measures for victims were approved. In particular, they announced the creation of a separate body dedicated exclusively to assisting DANA victims and coordinating all recovery programs.
Incidentally, Joan Francisco Pérez Llorca is a politician with many years of experience in the government bodies of the Valencian Community. Prior to his appointment as president, he held various positions in the regional government and was known for his active stance on social support issues. His rise to power is linked to the need for renewal and increased efficiency in the administration following a series of crises, including the DANA disaster. The new president has already announced his intention to make the recovery of affected areas one of the main priorities of his mandate.
