Ongoing flooding in Eastern and Southern Spain has caused one of the worst humanitarian disasters in the region in decades.
What Happened: At least 158 people have been killed by flooding caused by torrential rain on Tuesday night and Wednesday, according to the BBC. The damage is concentrated around the Valencia region. In some areas, the eight-hour rainfall matched a typical year's worth of rain.
According to Business Insider, an early insurer estimate of economic damage caused by the storm "easily" exceeds 1 billion euros.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez told residents to stay at home as more rain is expected to fall on Friday.
"To the villages and cities destroyed by this tragedy, I say the same: Together, we will rebuild your streets, your squares, your bridges," Sánchez said in a televised address, according to NBC.
Why it Matters: Increases in the frequency of extreme weather events are widely attributed to climate change.
The automotive industry is prominent in Valencia.
Ford Motor Co
Iberdrola SA
Construction companies could stand to benefit from investment in the region following the cessation of the storm. Ferrovial SE
Investors should also pay close attention to the Spain-tracking iShares Msci Spain ETF