In Grazalema, a town in Cádiz, Spain, approximately 1,600 residents who had been evacuated due to significant flooding are slowly returning to what they refer to as a 'strange normality'. As the community begins to assess the damage caused by the flooding, there is a palpable mix of relief and concern among the residents. The Gonzalez siblings, Ana Carmen and Carlos, shared their emotional experience upon returning to their family home, which had been at risk during the disaster. After more than 13 days of displacement, they are relieved that their home can now be reoccupied but also aware of the lingering challenges ahead.

The return of the residents coincided with geological experts declaring parts of Grazalema safe from exclusion zones. However, the path to normalcy is complicated by the town's dependency on tourism, which has been severely impacted. Local businesses are eager to recover and welcome visitors again, needing to strike a balance between revitalizing the economy and ensuring the safety of residents and tourists alike. There is a strong sense of community as neighbors reunite, expressing joy yet acknowledging the bittersweet nature of their return to daily life, underscored by the memories of recent trauma.

As Grazalema navigates its recovery, the emotional toll on residents emphasizes the importance of community resilience. Conversations among the locals reveal their aspirations for rebuilding not just the physical town, but also their spirits and sense of togetherness as they grapple with the effects of the natural disaster. Grazalema's journey will be watched closely, serving as a poignant reminder of both the fragility and strength of communal bonds in the wake of adversity.