Date Published: 29/10/2024

WATCH: Cars submerged and bins swept away as DANA drowns Spain

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The storm is expected to peak along the entire Mediterranean coast of Spain this Tuesday October 29

Estimats veïns 📣
Ja podeu tenir paciència aquesta setmana perquè anuncien plujes almenys fins dijous. Si no sou per la zona, contacteu amb altres veïns de la vostra confiança per que donin un cop d’ull a les vostres cases.
Trist que haguem d’estar així sempre @ajcambrils pic.twitter.com/GzqQAIhDgH
— Veïns de Vilafortuny (@VVilafortuny) October 27, 2024

Just a couple of weeks after Storm Kirk ripped through the country, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake, Spain is bracing itself for another intense storm. The latest episode, known as DANA (Depresión Aislada en Niveles Altos), is expected to bring heavy rainfall and strong winds to the Mediterranean coast, along with the Balearic Islands and parts of Aragón.

While the worst of the weather is expected on Tuesday October 29, thousands of incidents, accidents and rescues have already been reported up and down the country and the weather alert in the Valencian Community has been upgraded to red – the State Meteorological Agency’s (Aemet) highest warning status.

In the coming hours, the DANA is expected to bring torrential rain, hail and electrical storms, with gusts of winds exceeding 60 kilometres per hour.

The storm has already made landfall, with heavy rainfall and strong winds causing chaos in several areas. In Benalmádena, Málaga, the Fire Brigade carried out 11 interventions due to flooding on public roads and in several homes on Monday night. Three people had to be rescued after being trapped in their vehicles.

¡Buena manta de agua! Esta mañana (29/10/2024), así llueve en #Cehegín (#Murcia). Se superan los 100 litros por metro cuadrado en puntos del noroeste de la Región de Murcia, justo donde hay relieves muy expuestos al flujo húmedo de levante. Vídeo: JuanDa Sarrión. pic.twitter.com/LZSx4zNtM1
— MeteOrihuela (@MeteOrihuela) October 29, 2024

The situation is particularly problematic in the province of Castellón in the Valencian Community, where more than 100 litres per square metre have been reported. Several roads have had to be closed due to flooding, and the authorities have asked for “maximum caution” due to landslides on the road from Seratella to Albocàsser.

In Catalonia, still more landslides on roads have been reported, with the most striking one occurring in Cap Salou, which forced the closure of Calle de la Falconera. Five people who were trapped in their cars had to be rescued in Cambrils and Vila-seca.

The Balearic Islands have also been affected, with emergency services carrying out nearly 400 interventions in Mallorca. The main complications have occurred on the roads, where 10 thoroughfares have had to be closed due to flooding and a dozen more have been diverted.

The biggest problems have been caused by the overflow of the Porto Cristo torrent, and several cars were swept away by the rising water and landslides occurring on roads near the town.

¡Qué barbaridad! Esta noche (28/10/2024), #tormenta acompañada de #granizo descargando en #ElEjido (#Almería). Tremendo, menuda situación. Vídeo: @Mariopc198227. pic.twitter.com/ovdI3ot3DF
— MeteOrihuela (@MeteOrihuela) October 28, 2024

As the storm continues to make its way across the country, residents are advised to exercise caution and follow the instructions of local authorities.

Throughout Tuesday October 29, the southern half of the country will continue to be battered, although the heaviest rain should remain confined to Andalucía, Murcia, Albacete, the north of the Valencian Community and southern Catalonia.

Between Wednesday and Thursday, October 30 and 31, the DANA will start moving towards Portugal, so the rains should ease off a bit in the Mediterranean without actually stopping. However, the predicted path of the weather front means that the downpours could actually increase in the west and southwest.

Don’t forget to join our Spain Weather Watch Facebook group for all the latest updates

Image: @ajcambrils

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