Spain’s catastrophic floods have left behind staggering devastation and despair. But the numbers associated with the tragedy can also help grasp the scope of the natural disaster.

The gargantuan recovery efforts in dozens of communities slowly moved forward. The prime minister said he'll ask for financial help from the European Union.

Search and clean up operations continued in eastern Spain on Tuesday almost a week after flash floods devastated communities, sweeping away everything in their path.

Authorities have yet to any give an estimate of the missing. Spanish state broadcaster RTVE shows a steady stream of appeals by people searching for family members.