Storm Adam Unleashes Deadly Floods Across Spain
Record rainfall in Ibiza as emergency services conduct hundreds of rescues and evacuations in Valencia region.
Callum Smith
Storm Adam has caused severe flooding, destruction, and at least three deaths in eastern mainland Spain and the Balearic Islands.
Emergency workers launched urgent rescues as flooding left hundreds stranded in their homes. Security forces conducted more than 400 rescues in the Valencia region, evacuating over 2,000 people, primarily in Oliva.
The bodies of two people were discovered in the Valencian town of Oliva during these rescue operations. Three women died in the storm, with victims swept away in Cabrera de Mar, Almardà Beach, and Oliva.
In Cabrera de Mar, near Barcelona, firefighters confirmed the death of a woman who fell into a rain-swollen stream. A body was found washed up on the beach in nearby Sagunto.
Rivers burst their banks; streets transformed into raging torrents, sweeping vehicles off roads. Salvador Llopis described the dire situation: "They have to stay on top of tables and furniture to avoid getting wet."
More than 100,000 students in the Valencia region had classes suspended. The central government deployed emergency units from the military and national police to assist with the crisis.
The Valencian town of Oliva stands among the worst affected, receiving 600 litres per square metre of rainfall in 24 hours. All access routes to Pego were also blocked.
Palma and Ibiza airports faced dozens of flight cancellations, diversions, and over 1,000 delays across two days. Heavy showers are expected in La Palma, El Hierro, and Galicia on Tuesday afternoon.
September marked mainland Spain's hottest on record, following the country's warmest summer ever. Sunny weather is forecast from Thursday until Sunday, with precipitation returning to the far north of the peninsula on Sunday.
Spanish Prime Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is slated to visit Valencia on Tuesday to assess the impact of the floods.