Storm Adam brought record amounts of heavy, localised rain to eastern Spain on Saturday, October 17, 2026, causing severe flooding that killed at least five people and forced thousands to be rescued from rooftops, according to The Mirror.
The storm triggered top-level red alerts and affected the busy Valencia region, popular beach towns along the Costa Blanca such as Oliva and Els Poblets, and parts of Catalonia, Murcia, eastern Andalusia, and the Balearic Islands.
Record Rainfall and Widespread Damage
Rainfall totals exceeded 600 litres per square metre, rivers overflowed, and some residents were stranded on rooftops, the Majorca Daily Bulletin reports. The storm also left hundreds without electricity and caused widespread damage over the weekend.
Helicopters rescued people trapped by heavy rain in eastern Spain on Monday. The floods killed at least two people and led authorities to order more than 800,000 residents to stay indoors.
Current Alerts and Restrictions
Spain's weather agency, AEMET, has issued Orange Alerts for parts of the Balearic Islands. Lower-level Yellow Alerts remain active in parts of Catalonia, including Empordà. Some local movement restrictions and stay-at-home orders remain in place.
The region suffered devastating torrential rain in 2024, when subsequent flooding led to the deaths of about 241 people and substantial property damage.
Travel Advice for British Travellers
The British Foreign Office (FCDO) has not updated its Spain travel advice yet, but it is monitoring the situation. The FCDO security page for Spain states: "Flash flooding can cause travel disruption and damage to property and infrastructure. Check weather warnings from Spain's meteorological office (AEMET) before travel and follow the advice of the local authorities."
The FCDO has not issued a 'do not travel' warning for Spain. Travellers heading to flooded areas should check with their travel provider for more information and options. Other parts of Spain, as well as Portugal, Italy, and France, have not been affected by Storm Adam.
Airports and Weather Outlook
Airports are now operating normally after closures and cancelled flights. Many flights were delayed or diverted on Sunday and Monday, so airlines like easyJet and Jet2 are still working to restore their schedules. Travellers should check their flight status with their airline's app before heading to the airport.
Weather reports for Spain show that conditions should be much calmer and more stable for the rest of October 2026. The heavy rain has stopped in the hardest-hit areas of Valencia and Alicante. Conditions are improving quickly as Storm Adam weakens, and AEMET has lowered and removed the highest-level red alerts. Flash floods are still possible, so travellers should stay alert.
