Two people have died after severe flooding swept through a popular tourist area of Spain, amid warnings that a “mini-hurricane” could strike the region.
A man was killed when a wall collapsed in Tordera, Catalonia, regional president Salvador Illa confirmed today.
Firefighters reported a second death in nearby Montornès del Vallès. Emergency crews are also searching for a person reported missing in Pineda de Mar, about 52km north of Barcelona.
Catalan officials issued a red alert and told residents to remain indoors from 8pm yesterday until 2pm today. Authorities warned that a “mini-hurricane” could move across northeastern Spain as further torrential rain was forecast.
Homes were inundated and vehicles submerged in Bellvitge and Cornellà, near Barcelona, after intense rainfall battered the area yesterday.
Ducks were seen paddling through enormous pools of water that had collected on Barcelona’s motorways.
Video from Sant Adrià de Besòs showed the Besòs River surging rapidly toward a railway bridge, sweeping branches and other debris downstream.
Separate footage filmed overnight in Pineda de Mar captured a powerful torrent rushing through a narrow residential street.
Footage from Pineda de Mar shows floodwater surging through a narrow residential street during the early hours
A playground in Sant Adrià de Besòs, on the outskirts of Barcelona, was left flooded after the downpour
The swollen river can be seen beside the playground and nearby residential buildings
Sarai Sarroca, director of Catalonia’s regional weather service, Meteocat, said yesterday that a “mini-hurricane” had the potential to travel over land in the region.
Barcelona Airport suffered flight cancellations and delays, according to local media reports.
The deluge also brought the local rail network to a standstill. Shops closed early, football fixtures were cancelled and a performance of Verdi’s Aida at Barcelona’s Liceu opera house was called off.
The latest flooding followed the death of a 102-year-old woman in Madrigueras on Friday evening, while 90 people were rescued from flash floods.
She was found dead inside her home in the town, located around 120 miles north-west of Alicante.
Floodwater inside the property reportedly rose to more than 3ft.
Police images and video captured the destruction left by the sudden storm, showing cars stacked on top of one another in the town centre after being swept along by the floodwater.
Spain issued its highest-level weather warning on Friday and urged people to stay indoors as violent storms threatened popular holiday destinations along the country’s eastern coast.
From balconies on upper floors, residents watched helplessly as streets became rivers and floodwater dragged cars through the town.
One man was filmed trying to take refuge behind his vehicle as it was caught in a violent deluge caused by the torrential rain.
Civil Guard officers in Albacete, the province of which Madrigueras is part, said: ‘The intense rainfall has caused flooding on urban and interurban roads. The large volume of water has inundated streets and swept away vehicles.’
The Besòs river seen rising rapidly, reaching the railway bridge and carrying debris
Drone footage shows heavy flooding across Catalonia this weekend
A playground following heavy rain after Spain’s meteorological agency issued a red alert for Catalonia
The police force added in a warning to locals and visitors: ‘Avoid unnecessary travel and do not cross flooded areas.’
The scenes were said to be reminiscent of the floods in Valencia in 2024 caused by the DANA – a Spanish acronym for a high-altitude isolated depression – that claimed the lives of 232 people including British pensioners Don and Terry Turner.
Some 90 people were rescued from Spain’s most recent floods – most of them after becoming trapped in their homes.
The flash floods began at around 6pm on Friday. Regional government officials had sounded weather warnings but the scale of the flooding took locals by surprise.
Heavy rain and storms also affected parts of the Costa Blanca on Friday night where orange and yellow alerts were in place.
Forecasters expect the unstable weather to continue into next week, with eastern Spain and the Balearic Islands most at risk.
Residents were urged to stay indoors, avoid all unnecessary travel and steer clear of flood-prone areas, underpasses and normally dry riverbeds, which can quickly fill with water during intense downpours.
Authorities also advised people to keep a close watch on vulnerable relatives and neighbours, including elderly people, children and those with disabilities.
Are YOU affected?
