Spain – Floods in East and South After Record Rainfall

Several days of torrential rain have caused flooding in eastern and southern Spain. At least one person has died and dozens rescued or evacuated.

The heavy rain began on 18 October, 2018, particularly in the Valencia region where Vinaròs in Castellón Province recorded 374.6 mm in 24 hours to 19 October. AEMET said that 159.2 mm of rain in Vinaròs fell in just 1 hour.

Emergency services in Valencia responded a total of 4,542 calls corresponding to 3,743 incidents during the severe weather.

Dozens were evacuated from their homes in Benicarló, where local media said the rain had turned streets to rivers. Around 30 people were rescued from their vehicles. Further evacuations were carried out in Borriana and Alcossebre where homes and buildings were flooded. Trains and schools in parts of the Valencia region were suspended.

Emergency services in the Balearic Islands said that the Civil Guard had assisted around 60 people on 19 October in flooded areas of Pollensa, Sa Pobla and Alcudia, on the island of Mallorca. Parts of the island are still recovering from deadly flash floods of just over a week ago.

Andalusia

Further heavy rain then hit southern parts of the country, in particular Andalusia, from 21 October, 2018. AEMET said that a record breaking 289.2 mm of rain fell in just 6 hours in Alpandeire, Málaga province and 352.2mm in a 24 hour period to 21 October.

Emergency services in Andalusia said they responded to more 800 incidents due to heavy rains over the weekend in Malaga (656 incidents) and Sevilla provinces (177 incidents).

A firefighter died when his truck overturned on a flooded road, according to Andalusia emergency services.

Severe flooding and damages were reported in Malaga, Campillos, Yunquera, El Burgo, Ronda, Jimera de Líbar, Manilva and Estepona, among others. Homes, roads and bridges have all been damaged. Emergency services were called on to rescue people from flooded homes by helicopter.

Malaga saw major flash flooding in September this year when 50 mm of rain fell in just 30 minutes.

Social Media

https://twitter.com/avametpred/status/1053024369105088512

Noche larga para todos los efectivos de #BomberosCPBC @dipcas que no han parado ni un solo minuto trabajando en servicios relacionados con #temporalLluvias . Esta madrugada lo peor se ha vivido en la zona de Alcossebre donde varias urbanizaciones han resultado inundadas. pic.twitter.com/RIHHfjrVE2

— CPBC (@SIAB_Castellon) October 19, 2018

Un total de 4.542 llamadas correspondientes a 3.743 incidentes ha recibido y gestionado, respectivamente, el ☎️ de Emergencias #112CV durante el #TemporalPluges #TemporalLluvias. pic.twitter.com/M4dConoV3t

— GVA 112CV (@GVA112) October 21, 2018

https://twitter.com/guardiacivil/status/1054347290696171520

#Meteorología podéis explicar de qué sirve poner alerta roja una vez han caído 120 litros en media hora? Campillos esta ahora mismo así. Gracias. pic.twitter.com/RaPdgEQnta

— Javier García Marín (@JaviMarinBlanco) October 20, 2018

La @guardiacivil ha auxiliado a unas 60 personas esta mañana en la zona de Pollença y sa Pobla. Han actuado unos 75 efectivos.
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La @guardiacivil ha auxiliat unes 60 persones aquest matí a la zona de Pollença i sa Pobla. Han actuat uns 75 efectius. https://t.co/ppD5zMnFPP

— Emergències 112 Illes Balears (@112IllesBalears) October 19, 2018

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