Else Beekman
What began as a rainy spring day in the city turned into one of the most severe floods Ávila has seen in decades. After days of persistent rainfall, the Adaja River overflowed its banks on Friday, submerging parts of the southern city.
Streets, garages, schools, and even the bullring were flooded. Mayor Jesús Manuel Sánchez Cabrera described it as “one of the worst floods in 100 years” and declared a state of emergency. According to him, no personal injuries have been reported. Earlier this month the same rivers caused problems in the south of the city.
Homes submerged, roads closed
The consequences of storm Martinho have been far-reaching for Ávila. Districts such as Juan Pablo II Avenue, La Tropicana Park, and the Juan de Yepes school were heavily affected. Residents were forced to evacuate their homes in a hurry. The national N-403 road and several pedestrian bridges were also closed due to high water levels.
At the Casa de Espiritualidad of Santa Teresa, firefighters had to evacuate 41 children and their supervisors. Sister Purificación Martín, who was staying at the centre with 40 elderly individuals, stated: “We realised at seven in the morning that the entire exterior was flooded and the basements were completely filled with water.”
Floods in Ávila are historic disaster with political echoes
According to the mayor, this is not the first time the area has flooded. Still, back in 1998, under the leadership of Dolores Ruiz-Ayúcar, it was decided to urbanise the zone. This decision is now under scrutiny. The floods have reignited debate over urban planning decisions, particularly in the face of increasingly extreme weather driven by climate change.
Calls for aid and compensation for floods in Ávila
Ávila’s municipal council, led by the Partido Popular, is calling for the city to be declared a “zona gravemente afectada” (a severely affected area), which would make state aid available for residents and business owners. A motion to this effect will be put forward during the municipal plenary session on 28 March.
Ongoing threat from rain and meltwater
The situation remains critical heading into the weekend. The Duero River Basin Authority has issued a red-level flood alert, particularly for the Adaja, Chico, and Tormes rivers. With the ground saturated, ongoing snowmelt, and more rain on the way, the risk of further flooding remains high. Twelve hydrological stations in Castile and León are now at red, orange, or yellow alert levels.
Although some of the precipitation in mountainous areas is falling as snow, which may temporarily reduce surface runoff, the risks for lower-lying areas remain significant. Authorities urge residents to remain alert and to follow emergency services’ instructions closely.
Also read: Floods claim another life in Spain, this time in Murcia