Eastern Spain has been hit by severe flooding after Storm Alice swept across the Mediterranean coast, bringing torrential rain, powerful winds, and widespread disruption to travel. The storm, classified as a DANA — a high-altitude weather system known for triggering intense downpours — battered the regions of Valencia, Catalonia, and the Balearic Islands overnight, turning roads into rivers and forcing thousands from their homes.
Authorities reported rainfall exceeding 100 millimetres in some areas within a single hour. Streets in coastal cities such as Valencia, Castellón, and Alicante were submerged, with cars swept away by flash floods. Rescue services have been working around the clock to assist stranded residents, and emergency shelters have been opened in sports halls and community centres for those displaced by the rising waters.
Air and rail travel have been severely affected. Dozens of flights were cancelled or diverted at Valencia and Ibiza airports as runways flooded, while train services along the Mediterranean corridor were suspended due to track damage and landslides. The AP-7 motorway, a key route linking Spain’s eastern coast, was temporarily closed in several sections.
Spain’s national meteorological agency, AEMET, issued red weather alerts for parts of the Valencia region, warning that more heavy rainfall and thunderstorms could follow. Orange alerts remain active across much of the east coast, with forecasters predicting that some areas could see up to 300 millimetres of cumulative rain before the storm moves northward later in the week.
Local authorities have urged residents to stay indoors, avoid unnecessary travel, and keep away from rivers and coastal areas. Schools in several municipalities were closed as a precaution, and emergency teams were deployed from other provinces to assist in the response.
The storm marks one of the most severe autumn weather events to hit Spain in recent years, underscoring the growing volatility of the Mediterranean climate. Similar DANA storms have caused deadly flooding in recent autumns, and climate scientists warn that warmer sea temperatures are intensifying the rainfall patterns that fuel such events.
Waves from Storm Alice have eroded certain beaches along Valencia’s coastline, like Malvarossa Beach in Sagunto (in the photo), with sand stripped away and parts of shorelines visibly damaged.
Despite the chaos, there were moments of resilience. Videos shared on social media showed residents linking arms to help each other cross flooded streets, while local cafes and hotels offered shelter to travellers stranded by transport closures. As skies begin to clear, cleanup operations are expected to continue for days, with authorities assessing damage to infrastructure, homes, and agriculture across the eastern coast.
