Extreme Downpours Trigger Severe Flooding and Fatalities in Eastern Spain

Torrential rainfall caused severe flooding across eastern Spain on September 17, submerging streets, immobilizing vehicles, and severely disrupting transportation networks.

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In Valencia province, the Avamet weather station measured over 70 millimetres of rain in merely 30 minutes across several municipalities. Authorities described the precipitation as unprecedented, while emergency services logged 478 incidents, primarily involving property damage, leaks, and traffic disruptions.

In the municipality of Moncada, near Valencia, civil protection teams extracted water from a flooded supermarket. Firefighters responded to hundreds of additional calls throughout the province. The disruption led to the suspension of Valencia’s metro system and the temporary closure of the city’s airport, resulting in 12 flights being diverted before operations resumed.

Catalonia reported over 850 storm-related calls and more than 500 incidents, which included flooded underpasses, submerged vehicles, and water infiltrating buildings.

Near Olivella, approximately 40 kilometres west of Barcelona, rescue teams recovered the body of a man after his vehicle was swept away by a swollen stream. Catalan firefighters and the Mossos d’Esquadra confirmed his identity as the driver, correcting previous reports that had suggested a woman was missing.

AEMET issued heavy rain warnings, including a temporary red alert along the Barcelona coast, while Catalonia’s meteorological service cautioned residents about locally torrential showers. Authorities urged the public to avoid unnecessary travel and stay clear of streams and ravines as emergency crews continued their response efforts.

These storms struck just after Spain endured its hottest summer on record.

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