+34
A 102-year-old woman died and 90 people were rescued after flash floods hit Madrigueras, Spain. Torrential rain turned streets into rivers and swept away cars.
A 102-year-old woman has died and 90 people have been rescued after flash floods struck the Spanish town of Madrigueras, about 120 miles north-west of Alicante, on Thursday evening. The woman was found lifeless inside her home, where floodwater is said to have reached a height of more than three feet. The flash floods began at around 6pm yesterday.
Madrigueras Floods Cause Fatalities and Rescues
Civil Guard officers in Albacete, the province to which Madrigueras belongs, reported on X that intense rainfall had caused flooding on urban and interurban roads. The large volume of water inundated streets and swept away vehicles, they said. In a warning to locals and visitors, the force urged people to avoid unnecessary travel and not to cross flooded areas.
Footage and photos published by police showed cars piled on top of each other in the town centre after being battered by a fast-moving river of water. Residents watched helplessly from upper-floor balconies as streets turned into rivers and vehicles were carried away. One man was filmed trying to take refuge behind his vehicle as it was caught in a violent rush of water caused by torrential rain.
Some 90 people were rescued from the floods, most after becoming trapped in their homes. Regional government officials had sounded weather warnings, but the scale of the flooding took locals by surprise.
Weather Warnings and Regional Impact
Spain issued its highest weather warning yesterday and told people to stay indoors as storms threatened popular holiday hotspots along the country's east coast. The warning level was raised to red in the worst-hit areas, the highest alert issued by Spain's weather agency. Officials said the designation is reserved for situations where there is a risk of severe impacts to both people and property.
Heavy rain and storms also affected parts of the Costa Blanca last night, where orange and yellow alerts were in place. In Tortosa, Catalonia, dramatic pictures showed the aftermath of the floods. In one image, a washing machine could be seen floating along a street fully submerged in water. Staff from a restaurant were seen cleaning debris from inside a building. Floodwaters submerged streets, low-lying residential properties and road infrastructure following intense torrential rainfall in Tortosa, Tarragona province.
A powerful storm system battered the Baix Ebre and Montsia districts across southern Catalonia on Thursday and Friday, dropping over 200 millimetres of rain across several municipalities. In Madrigueras, 140 litres of rain lashed the town in just three hours.
Context and Safety Advice
The scenes were said to be reminiscent of the floods in Valencia in 2024, known as the dana, which claimed the lives of 232 people, including British pensioners Don and Terri Turner. That event was one of Spain's deadliest natural disasters in recent years.
Officials urged residents 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.
Forecasters expect the unstable weather to continue into next week, with eastern Spain and the Balearic Islands most at risk. The Civil Guard's warning to avoid unnecessary travel and not cross flooded areas remains in effect for affected regions.
Scratch the next story
Madrigueras Spain Floods Albacete Alicante Civil Guard Costa Blanca Tortosa
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News: You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Flash Comics #13 Sells For $8,845 At Auction Despite Lacking The Big Money FactorAlthough the latest sale of the rare Golden Age issue saw the price of the comic book rise to nearly double its estimate, it wasn't able to reach the five-figure mark expected by some collectors.
Read more »
Absolute Universe Introduces New Green Lantern, Flash, and Wonder WomanDC's Absolute Universe reimagines Green Lantern, Flash, and Wonder Woman with bold twists, including a love-powered Hal Jordan and a mother-daughter bond with Circe.
Read more »
Spain Flash Floods Kill 102-Year-Old Woman in Madrigueras, 90 RescuedFlash floods in Madrigueras, Spain, killed a 102-year-old woman and forced the rescue of 90 people as torrential rain swept away cars and submerged streets.
Read more »
Flash Floods in Madrigueras, Spain Kill 102-Year-Old Woman and Force 90 RescuesFlash floods in Madrigueras, Spain killed a 102-year-old woman and forced 90 rescues as cars were swept away and Spain issued its highest weather warning.
Read more »