Spain is bracing for further flooding after forecasters issued warnings of 'significant danger' as heavy rainfall is set to hit popular tourist destinations Benidorm, Ibiza, and Magaluf. Much of the country's south-east and the Balearic Islands are under orange weather alerts after flash floods tore through Catalonia and Valencia on Wednesday (September 16).
Search and rescue after woman washed away
A search and rescue operation is underway to find a woman who was reportedly washed away in Olivella, a town 25 miles west of Barcelona, on Wednesday. The flooding forced the closure of metro stations in Barcelona, while all metro lines were suspended in Valencia, the scene of devastating flooding in October 2024 that killed 229 people. A La Liga match between Levante and Athletic Bilbao was cancelled after floodwater seeped into the players' tunnel.
AEMET warnings and rainfall records
Spain's national forecaster, AEMET, said: "Rarely have we seen such large rainfall accumulations in 30 minutes as the one we've had today in Valencia and nearby areas." The agency has issued yellow and orange warnings for rain and possible flooding for Thursday and parts of Friday. There is 'significant danger' for popular British expat towns in southern Alicante, home to Benidorm, and the Balearic Islands, where holidaymakers visit Ibiza, Magaluf, and Palma.
Around four inches of rain (120mm) was recorded in one hour in Alicante, according to AEMET data. Early on Wednesday morning, the organisation posted on X: "Wednesday and Thursday: very heavy showers and storms in the eastern mainland and Balearic Islands. The intensity and persistence of the rains may cause local flooding and flash floods. Significant danger in Catalonia, south of Aragon, Valencian Community, and Balearic Islands. Exercise great caution!"
Impact and aftermath
Around 478 weather-related incidents were reported to emergency services in the Valencia region this week, according to the Daily Mail. The floods come at the end of Spain's hottest-ever summer, when temperatures reached 45.7°C in Andalusia. The country's average temperature was 24.5°C, and it recorded 61 heatwave days in three months.
