Authorities in Andalusia activated their flood emergency plan, a person is missing near Barcelona, and Costa Blanca faces a “danger to life” warning from 10am on Sunday.
Storm Adam hit Spain’s Mediterranean coast on Saturday, flooding streets and homes in Almeria and the Barcelona area, popular with British holidaymakers. Cars were swept away, and residents were trapped in vehicles and basements. Spain’s state forecaster, Aemet, has warned of “extraordinary” meteorological danger, and red alerts are in force along the southern coast. Spain’s Civil Protection Directorate says 18 and 19 October could be the most dangerous period of the storm.
Almeria and Andalusia
In El Ejido, one video shows a black car drifting backwards down a fast, muddy stream along a central road. More than 100 litres per square metre fell on the worst-hit El Ejido-Norte neighbourhood in Almeria, and over 75 litres per square metre on Canada Cortes and Venta Vieja. Roads were closed, and the city centre became a network of gushing rivers. The A-7 motorway was reportedly shut in both directions near kilometre marker 818.
Emergency services first reported more than 100 calls, mostly from people trapped in cars. A later breakdown from the regional emergency service, reported by Europa Press, put the total at 155 storm-related incidents across Andalusia, 121 of them in Almeria province. They included flooded properties, rescues, stranded vehicles and landslides. No injuries were reported in that update.
Authorities sent emergency phone alerts in Spanish and English at about 3.31pm to 40 municipalities around western Almeria and the provincial capital. Residents were told to avoid unnecessary journeys, keep away from flooded roads and riverbeds, and move to higher floors if water got into their buildings.
Andalusia raised its flood plan to operational situation one. That allows regional resources to help with incidents local authorities may struggle to manage alone. It is a serious step, but not the highest possible emergency level, as some reports suggested.
Near Barcelona
Emergency services began a search in Cabrera de Mar after a report at about 7.41pm that a person had fallen into a flooded stream. Catalan firefighters deployed six units, the Mossos d’Esquadra police joined, and maritime rescue took part because of fears the current could carry the person out to sea. The person’s identity and condition are unknown, and they are reported missing, not dead. Firefighters also rescued two people trapped in a flooded car in Sentmenat. It is not known whether they needed hospital treatment.
Catalonia’s rail operator suspended the R2 Sud commuter line from 10pm on Saturday and diverted regional trains for southern Catalonia through Vilafranca. Services will stay disrupted until conditions improve and safety checks are complete.
Catalan forecasters warned of wind gusts approaching or above 90km/h, large hail, intense lightning, flash flooding and possible tornadoes or waterspouts. These are warnings and not confirmation that any have formed.
What comes next
From 10am on Sunday until 10am on Monday, Costa Blanca will be under a rare “danger to life” warning. Aemet said: “The meteorological danger is extraordinary. Vulnerable people and property in exposed areas could suffer very serious or catastrophic impacts.” Text alerts reached phones in Valencia on Saturday afternoon urging residents to stay indoors. Parks, gardens, libraries and cemeteries have been closed, and football matches and concerts cancelled. Residents have been asked to avoid non-essential travel and to stay away from dry riverbeds and flooded crossings. Some weather models suggested a low chance of a hurricane forming over the Mediterranean.
The source says Aemet forecast between 200mm and 700mm of rain in just 12 hours. The research notes could not verify the 700mm figure. They give forecasts of up to 200mm in 12 hours for the southern Valencia coast and northern Alicante coast, and about 300mm in 24 hours in the worst-affected areas. They also give up to 40mm in an hour for parts of coastal Barcelona. Valencia city is forecast heavy rain on Sunday, with a 98% chance. Murcia, Almeria, Ibiza, Formentera and later Mallorca could also see heavy rain. Conditions should begin to improve from Tuesday 20 October, although heavy showers may linger in some coastal areas.
The storm comes two years after flash floods in Valencia killed 242 people.
