A 102-year-old woman has died and around 90 people have been rescued after flash floods struck a Spanish town.
The woman was found dead inside her home in Madrigueras, about 120 miles north-west of Alicante, yesterday evening.
Floodwater inside the property reportedly rose to more than three feet.
Police released shocking photographs and video showing the devastation caused by the freak storm. In the centre of the town, cars were thrown on top of one another as a torrent of fast-moving water swept through the streets.
Spain issued its highest-level weather warning yesterday, urging people to remain indoors as powerful storms threatened popular holiday destinations along the country’s eastern coast.
From upper-floor balconies, residents watched helplessly as roads became rivers and vehicles were dragged away by the floodwater.
One man was filmed sheltering behind his vehicle as torrential rain sent a violent surge of water rushing around it.
Civil Guard officers in Albacete, the province where Madrigueras is located, said on X: ‘The intense rainfall has caused flooding on urban and interurban roads. The large volume of water has inundated streets and swept away vehicles.’
Terrifying scenes in Madrigueras after 140 litres of rain fell in just three hours, swamping homes and sweeping cars away
Residents and tourists endured a terrifying night in Madrigueras, Albacete, after a catastrophic deluge turned streets into raging rivers and carried away vehicles
As flood levels climbed, residents could only watch as vehicles vanished beneath the torrent and streets were transformed into fast-flowing rivers
The police force also issued a warning to residents and visitors: ‘Avoid unnecessary travel and do not cross flooded areas.’
The scenes evoked memories of the 2024 Valencia floods, known as the dana, which killed 232 people, including British pensioners Don and Terri Turner.
About 90 people were rescued in the latest flooding in Spain, with most being trapped inside their homes before emergency teams reached them.
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The flash floods began at approximately 6pm yesterday.
Regional authorities had issued weather warnings, but the sheer scale of the flooding caught local residents off guard.
Heavy rain and thunderstorms also hit parts of the Costa Blanca last night, where orange and yellow weather alerts were in force.
Dramatic images from Tortosa in Catalonia captured the aftermath of yesterday’s flooding.
One photograph showed a washing machine floating along a street that was completely submerged beneath the floodwater.
Restaurant staff were also seen clearing mud and debris from inside a building.
Spain issued its highest weather warning yesterday and told people to stay indoors as torrential storms threaten parts of the country’s east coast. Pictured: Flooding in Santa Barbara
Floodwaters submerge streets, low-lying residential properties, and road infrastructure following intense torrential rainfall in Tortosa, Tarragona province, Catalonia yesterday
A powerful storm system battered the Baix Ebre and Montsia districts across southern Catalonia on Thursday and Friday, dropping over 200 millimeters of rain across several municipalities
Forecasters expect the unstable weather to continue into next week, with eastern Spain and the Balearic Islands most at risk.
The warning level has been raised to red in the worst-hit areas, the highest alert issued by Spain’s weather agency.
Officials warned the designation is reserved for situations where there is a risk of severe impacts to both people and property.
Residents were urged to stay indoors, avoid all unnecessary travel and steer clear of flood-prone areas, underpasses and normally dry riverbeds, which can quickly fill with water during intense downpours.
Authorities also advised people to keep a close watch on vulnerable relatives and neighbours, including elderly people, children and those with disabilities.