The death toll from catastrophic flooding in Valencia, Spain, has reached 217, officials announced Sunday, as the search for survivors -- and bodies -- continued in devastated cities and towns left caked in mud and strewn with debris.

So far, 205 bodies have been recovered after the floods in Spain. Volunteers are helping clean up thick mud that is covering streets and businesses.

Spain's Mediterranean coast is used to autumn storms that can cause flooding, but this was the most powerful flash flood event in recent memory. Scientists link it to climate change.