Emotional Carlos Corberan opens up on 'painful' catastrophe in Valencia

Carlos Corberan has only been able to watch from afar with despair and sadness - and, initially, concerns over the welfare of his family - having seen his native Valencia and surrounding towns hit by torrential rain and flooding last week.

The confirmed death toll stands at more than 200 people and is expected to rise as the search for missing victims goes on after flash floods devastated entire communities. Corberan, who was born in nearby Cheste, has both parents and his two sisters - who have their own families - still living in the area.

The West Bromwich Albion boss worked last week before the Luton Town game without being able to contact his family, until his father communicated that they were all safe, though clearly impacted by the events unfolding around them.

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"It's been terrible, very painful," Corberan said. "It's my city and my towns. I had two days without being able to communicate with my mom, with my father, with my sisters. I knew they were fine, I talked with them on the day of the catastrophe - my nephews, everyone at home. My sister is a mathematician, she took one congress and took the last train from Valencia to my town. If she hadn't, it would've been...complicated.

"The day of the rain, I was working so I didn't see WhatsApp. When I arrived home, I read it, I saw the videos they were sending and I knew they were at home. I tried to call, but I couldn't. I received a WhatsApp from my dad the next day, he had momentary connection, so I knew they were fine. There was no light, electricity in my town. For two days I couldn't talk.

"It has been a situation that has affected me, even if I'm over here. The people in those towns have been in a massive catastrophe. There was a moment when I thought I don't want to see the news, but it's important because your people, your city, is in one of the most challenging moments in its history. When you're watching pictures of places you've been, seeing people suffering...they are broken.

"The schools didn't close. Imagine, you're working and you have to go to the school to pick up your children. They tell you don't use the roads. The journey that should be 15 minutes is two hours. You collect your family, you're on the road...and the water is coming. You are there, with your children...it has been madness."

Spain recently underwent three days of national mourning - and there has been plenty of anger aimed towards the authorities and the country's leaders, as well as locally and the discord between them. The King, Felipe VI, and wife Queen Letizia visited the region last weekend and were met initially with ire. Mud and insults were thrown towards them and the Prime Minister.

"I have interest in how my country works with the politics, even here in England," Corberan explained. "I like to know what the leaders are doing, their ideas, whether you're more aligned or not. I think if the Government of Spain had been the same as the Government of Valencia, the situation would have been managed differently. The Government of Spain is left, and Valencia is right. The conflict is massive.

"They weren't managing the catastrophe - how it was before the rain, which wasn't normal, and how they've managed it since. We have had four days, when many people have passed away. The volunteers, my sister too in Valencia, have been moving food and resources to people who don't have anything. They didn't have water. It's been frustrating to see the lack of action and co-ordination between the Spanish and Valencian Governments to solve the catastrophe.

"Thursday was chaos. Friday was chaos. Saturday was chaos. There weren't enough resources to solve the impact of the situation. People have been suffering infections because of the dirty water. It's unbelievable. It was like Valencia was a different country.

"On Sunday, the King of Spain and his wife, and the Spanish and Valencian Governments, went to the most damaged town. Did they think the people, four days without resources, were going to applaud you? They reacted. The Governments disappeared, but the King remained with the people. He didn't follow the security advice. They were brave to break the safety protocol to leave. They showed empathy. The people appreciated this a lot."