Lorraine Williamson
Spain has been battered by torrential rain this week, leaving parts of Valencia and the Balearic Islands under water, paralysed by road closures, power cuts, and widespread damage. While the red alert for mainland Valencia was lifted late on Tuesday, Ibiza and Formentera remain in a state of emergency, with authorities describing the situation as “extremely dangerous”.
The first blow came to the Valencian region, where more than 130 emergency calls were made within hours. Gandia, 65 kilometres south of the city, saw streets transformed into canals after more than 230 litres of rain fell in a short burst. Cars were stranded, schools were forced to shut, and traffic ground to a halt.
Neighbouring towns such as Picanya reported collapsed walls and flooded homes. The railway network was suspended, leaving passengers stranded as engineers assessed damage to tracks and tunnels. By Tuesday night, the state weather agency AEMET downgraded the alert from red to orange, but clean-up operations are expected to last for days.
Parks closed and classrooms back open
Valencia City Council began checks on public parks and trees to prevent further accidents as winds eased. Officials stressed that earlier precautionary closures of schools and the Universitat de València had helped avoid serious risks. Classes resumed on Wednesday, with Mayor María José Catalá insisting that “preparedness made the difference”.
Islands bear the brunt
While Valencia was slowly emerging from the deluge, Ibiza and Formentera faced their worst rainfall in years. In just 12 hours, parts of the islands were lashed with up to 238 litres per square metre. Streets became torrents, power failed in several districts, and dozens of bars, restaurants and schools were left underwater. On Ibiza alone, at least 41 incidents were logged by emergency services.
One official described two hours of rain dumping almost 200 litres per square metre as “beyond the capacity of any drainage system”. Cars were swept away, ferry services were halted, and connections between the islands were repeatedly rescheduled.
Meteorologists underlined just how rare the storm was. Spain’s state weather agency AEMET confirmed that Tuesday marked Ibiza’s wettest day since records began in 1952. In the town of Eivissa alone, 254 litres of rain per square metre fell in a matter of hours — more than half the island’s typical annual rainfall. At the airport of Es Codolar, 174 litres were recorded, also breaking historic records.
Soldiers sent in by sea and air
To reinforce local crews, Spain’s Unidad Militar de Emergencias (UME) deployed around 140 troops to Ibiza on Tuesday night. They travelled by ferry from Dénia with vehicles and excavators, while twelve specialist officers were flown in by helicopter from Valencia. Their mission: clear blocked roads, stabilise infrastructure, and support rescue efforts, particularly for vulnerable groups.
The ferry operator Baleària altered its schedule to prioritise aid transport, adding extra sailings between Palma, Dénia and Mallorca to carry equipment and personnel.
Political response and calls for caution
Balearic Islands president Marga Prohens toured the worst-hit areas, urging residents to remain cautious and praising the cooperation of police, fire and military teams. “Our priority is protecting people,” she said, stressing the focus on evacuation and assistance.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez issued messages of solidarity via social media, acknowledging the UME’s work and urging vigilance. But questions remain over whether Madrid will formally declare a disaster zone or commit financial support to affected households and businesses.
A reminder of Spain’s climate volatility
The flooding highlights once again the growing strain extreme weather places on Spain’s infrastructure. From wildfires in summer to torrential autumn storms, the country faces mounting challenges linked to climate shifts in the Mediterranean. For communities in Valencia, Ibiza and Formentera, the immediate task is recovery — but many are already asking how long until the next crisis arrives.
Sources: HuffingtonPost, Diario de Ibiza ,ELPAÍS