Just under a year after devastating floods killed over 230 people in eastern Spain, the region is again hit by severe storms. Storm Alice, the first named high-impact Dana of the autumn season, has brought torrential rain and flash flooding to coastal areas from Alicante to Barcelona, as well as the Balearic Islands.
Rainfall totals of 100-200mm (3.9-7.8in) have been recorded, with hourly rates exceeding 60mm. The flooding has caused travel chaos, including flight cancellations and stranded holidaymakers, along with property damage. Spain's state meteorological agency, Aemet, declared the event as the first high-impact Dana of the season.
Dana stands for depresión aislada en niveles altos (isolated depression at high levels), an upper-atmospheric depression disconnected from the main airflow that can trigger torrential downpours, gusty winds, hail and thunderstorms. Storm Alice is the first Dana to be officially named, following a list agreed by the Southwest European Storm Naming Group.
Storm Alice is slowly moving eastwards, with the worst conditions expected to affect the Italian islands of Sardinia and Sicily in the coming days. Meanwhile, Mexico is also experiencing heavy rain and flooding from Tropical Storm Raymond, which has killed about 40 people and left many missing, with landslides and widespread damage.
