Spain’s King Felipe and Queen Letizia were pelted with mud by crowds during their visit to the region last week, as anger fermented among communities who said they felt abandoned by authorities in the wake of the natural disaster, with troops and police deployed to assist communities in affected areas.

Valencia, Spain - The death toll has climbed to 70 after devastating storms swept through southern and eastern Spain. Regional emergency services reported the mounting toll as rescue workers discovered additional bodies Wednesday in Valencia.

Mixed messages and confusion cost lives, dozens of local residents and experts say. More than 220 people died and nearly 80 are still missing.

Spain was soaked in its wettest October on record last month which culminated in catastrophic floods that have killed 219 people and left dozens missing, the government said on Friday.