PAIPORTA, Spain - Angry residents protested and lit candles in memory of victims on Nov 29 as Spain marked one month since its worst floods in a generation killed 230 people.

Outrage swept the country after the Oct 29 catastrophe wrecked homes and businesses leaving thousands of cars piled up in muddy streets in the eastern Valencia region.

Telephone alerts reached some residents when water was already raging through towns, while several municipalities went for days without state help and relied on volunteers for food, water and cleaning equipment.

Church bells rang out at dusk in Paiporta, the epicentre of the disaster, at around the time the floods began. Several hundred locals, some wearing face masks, gathered near a ravine which was ravaged by the torrential rain.

They left a line of candles on both sides of the ravine in memory of 45 people who died in Paiporta in the floods.

“This tribute is for them, we put a candle for them so they are not forgotten,” said Ms Bea Garcia, a 43-year-old teacher.

“The people continue to feel alone, the anger remains and there is also fatigue and frustration. We are all exhausted.” she told AFP.

At 8.11pm, local time, Valencia regional authorities issued an alert more than 12 hours after a warning by the national weather service. Several people played alarms on their mobile phones and chanted slogans calling for regional leader Carlos Mazon to resign or be jailed.

Similar rallies were held in towns and cities across Valencia, organised by trade unions, associations and local organisations.

Another protest is expected in Spain’s third city Valencia on Nov 30. A first demonstration on November 9 drew 130,0...