Storm Adam kills at least five and forces mass evacuations in eastern Spain

Storm Adam, a DANA weather system, began to ease on Tuesday after causing deadly flooding across eastern Spain. In the Valencia region, the Civil Guard evacuated more than 2,100 people and rescued nearly 500 since the storm’s onset, according to an official update.

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is set to visit Valencia on Tuesday afternoon to assess the damage. He is scheduled to arrive around 12:30 p.m. and will hold a media briefing afterward.

The town of Oliva in Valencia suffered some of the worst impacts, recording rainfall of 600 litres per square metre within 24 hours. Approximately 600 residents received aid at the municipal centre, and 400 stayed overnight there from Monday into Tuesday.

Emergency responders deployed over 1,300 Civil Guard officers, supported by helicopters, boats and specialised water‑ and mountain‑rescue units.

Although rainfall has subsided in Valencia and stay‑at‑home orders have been lifted, the State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) maintains warnings for nine provinces on Tuesday, with particular focus on Catalonia and the Balearic Islands.

Historic rainfall exceeds 700 litres per square metre

Aemet described the precipitation as exceptional in the Valencian counties of La Safor and Marina Alta, where some of the highest accumulations in recent decades were measured. In L’Atzúvia (Alicante), 713 litres per square metre fell during the event. Pego recorded 632 litres over 36 hours, with 430 litres arriving in just six hours.

The intense rain caused the rivers Girona and Vernisa, as well as the Beniopa ravine, to overflow, flooding numerous municipalities. According to RTVE, the episode ranks among Spain’s most severe on record, behind the 1987 Oliva storm (817 litres in 24 hours) and the 2024 DANA (772 litres in Turís).

In Oliva, streets were completely submerged, forcing many residents to move to upper floors or onto rooftops while awaiting rescue.

The severe flooding prompted the Generalitat Valenciana to lock down 145 municipalities in Valencia and Alicante on Monday. Authorities urged people to avoid travel and seek higher ground. The restrictions were gradually lifted in the afternoon.

The storm also led to road closures, transport disruptions and the suspension of classes for more than 100,000 pupils.

Balearic Islands and Catalonia also affected

The storm hit the Balearic Islands, especially Ibiza and Formentera, where overflowing torrents caused widespread flooding and road closures. In Ibiza, over 130 incidents were reported, including fallen trees and airport access problems due to standing water, which suspended some operations.

Formentera recorded up to 203 litres per square metre in 24 hours. The UME was deployed to assist with emergency work and water removal. The Balearic government suspended classes on Mallorca, Ibiza and Formentera on Monday, affecting around 160,000 students.

In Catalonia, the heaviest rain moved toward Barcelona, Girona and Tarragona on Monday afternoon after Aemet issued warnings for persistent heavy rainfall.

Mobile alerts prove key to storm response

The Generalitat Valenciana used the ES‑Alert system to send direct warnings to citizens in at‑risk areas. Initial messages were dispatched over the weekend before the storm peaked, with additional alerts sent on Monday as flood risk intensified.

The notifications advised residents to avoid travel, stay clear of rivers and ravines, and seek shelter on higher ground or upper floors of buildings. This rapid communication approach contrasts with the delayed emergency alerts during the October 2024 DANA, which drew significant criticism.

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