Spain – Flash Floods in Madrid

by in Europe, News

A massive storm in Spain on 26 August, 2019, brought torrential rain and hail causing raging flash floods in the capital Madrid and surrounding areas.

Spain’s Meteorological Agency AEMET reported that 65.4 mm of rain fell at Tielmes, a municipality of the Community of Madrid, on 26 August, with most of that total falling in 6 hours from 18:00.

Images on Social Media showed streets turned to rivers, as fast-flowing flood water swept away everything in its path, including cars. Madrid’s Security and Emergency Agency (Agencia de Seguridad y Emergencias Madrid) said that the worst affected municipalities were Arganda del Rey, Valdemoro, Pinto, Rivas, Getafe, Fuenlabrada and central parts of the capital city.

Firefighters carried out over 150 interventions during the evening of 26 August as a result of flooding. Many of the interventions involved blocked roads and flooded houses.

Flooding was also reported in Las Navas del Marqués, a municipality located in the province of Ávila, Castile and León located about 80 km northwest of Madrid.

A small river in Toledo Province broke its banks, flooding parts of Seseña and Borox municipalities.

Further south, heavy rain in Spain’s Andalusia region caused flash flooding in Lora de Estepa, a city located in the province of Seville. AEMET reported 55mm of rain fell in 24 hours in Lora de Estepa on 26 August.

Heavy rain was recorded in parts of Valencia Region early on 27 August. Areas in Valencia are still recovering from flooding on 20 August when 40mm of rain fell in just 1 hour.

Parts of neighbouring country Portugal also saw heavy rain. The Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) recorded 61.3mm of rain in 24 hours on 26 August in Covilhã.

Portugal’s Lusa News Agency reported that flooding affected areas of Portalegre District, about 100km south of Covilhã, where at least 1 person was evacuated from a flooded home.

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