A terrifying freak storm has brought the bustling holiday hotspot of Benidorm to a catastrophic standstill, as apocalyptic flash floods transformed its famous streets into treacherous, fast-flowing rivers.
Torrential rain of almost biblical proportions hammered the Costa Blanca on Tuesday afternoon, with the deluge overwhelming drainage systems in a matter of minutes. Shocking footage circulating on social media captures the sheer scale of the devastation, showing cars half-submerged and desperate attempts to navigate the murky, waist-high waters.
Tourist Paradise Turns to Torrent
The usually vibrant Avenida de Europa, one of the city's main thoroughfares, became an unrecognisable waterway. Panicked tourists and locals were seen wading through the powerful currents, clutching their belongings, while emergency services scrambled to respond to numerous calls for help.
Public transport was thrown into chaos, with buses brought to a complete halt and traffic paralysed across the city. The suddenness of the storm left many with no time to react, leading to dramatic scenes of vehicles abandoned in the rising waters.
Emergency Services Overwhelmed
Local police and emergency crews were inundated with calls as the floodwaters rose. While there have been no immediate reports of serious injuries, the clean-up operation is expected to be immense. The storm serves as a stark reminder of the increasing frequency of extreme weather events in the Mediterranean region.
Meteorologists are classifying the event as a gota fría (cold drop), a phenomenon known for producing intense, concentrated rainfall over a short period. The severity of this particular storm has taken many by surprise, even for a area accustomed to heavy autumn downpours.
