Flash floods in Spain kill at least 13 people in Valencia region

Valencia

At least 13 individuals have lost their lives due to heavy rainfall that triggered sudden flooding in southeastern Spain.

Valencia - Figure 1
Photo iNews

Popular vacation spots for British travelers, such as Málaga and Valencia in southern and eastern Spain, along with the Balearic Islands, suffered significant damage as Storm Dana unleashed heavy rain and strong winds across the country on Monday.

Rescue operations are currently underway, and the president of the Valencia region, Carlós Mazón, stated that it's currently "impossible" to provide an accurate count of the final number of casualties.

Aemet, the national weather service of Spain, issued a special alert for mainland Spain and the Balearic Islands. Meteorologists cautioned that the severe weather conditions might continue until the end of the week.

The UK's Met Office has released an unusual weather warning for certain areas in eastern Spain, alerting travelers to the potential for "sudden flooding, landslides, and considerable disturbances" due to ongoing heavy rainfall and thunderstorms.

The Met Office indicated that some areas might receive an additional 250-350mm of rainfall by the weekend, while the typical amount for October is around 50-100mm.

Valencia - Figure 2
Photo iNews

On Tuesday, Álora and Cártama, located close to Málaga in southern Spain, were the newest areas to be put on a "red" alert after cars were carried off by the rising waters of the Guadalhorce River, which overflowed due to intense rainfall.

Winds reaching speeds of 120 km/h—more powerful than a hurricane—struck the southern coastline, producing waves as high as 5 meters. On Tuesday, officials increased the weather alert for the area to red, indicating the most severe level of caution.

Unusual weather struck suddenly, bringing intense thunderstorms to Málaga and nearby areas. Approximately 20,000 lightning strikes were noted across the coastal city, leading to flight delays and road closures.

In Valencia, located on the eastern side of Spain, residents found themselves facing blocked roads and flooded train tracks due to intense rainfall that intensified the flooding situation. Emergency services sent a helicopter to assist drivers trapped in the rising waters.

On Monday, Valencia's city council recommended that schools and nurseries suspend outdoor play activities. They also ordered the closure of parks and cemeteries in the city. In addition, all maritime operations at the city's two ports have been halted until the weather improves.

Intense storms and heavy downpours hit the Balearic Islands, leading to road closures and the mobilization of emergency teams to assist residents dealing with the rising water levels.

Stunning video of the flooding captured cars being swept away and water surging above the treetops. One particular segment featured a river spilling over its banks and flooding a bridge, making it impossible for residents to cross the waterway.

This is a developing news story and will be updated as more information becomes available.

Read more
Similar news
This week's most popular news