Severe Flash Floods Strike Eastern Spain and US Northeast

Intense and slow-moving thunderstorms broke out on Wednesday afternoon across parts of eastern Spain, bringing some severe flooding and killing at least one person.

Storms first struck over the Castilla-La Mancha region during the afternoon before passing over Spain’s east coast, becoming very slow-moving and continuing overnight. Torrential rainfall, strong winds and large hail were reported in Valencia and Barcelona, causing widespread flooding in both cities. Weather stations west of Barcelona recorded some of the highest totals with more than 100mm (4in) of rain falling in the space of a few hours, and locally 70mm in just 30 minutes in the early hours of Thursday morning. Cars and roads were submerged, and flights were cancelled across the region.

Wednesday’s La Liga fixture between Levante and Athletic Club had to be postponed due to flooding at the Estadio Ciudad de Valencia. On Thursday rescuers found the body of a man near Olivella, west of Barcelona, after his car was swept away in the waters. Spain’s east coast is susceptible to extreme rainfall during the autumn months, as experienced in 2024, when devastating flash floods killed more than 200 people in Valencia. With the Mediterranean Sea reaching record temperatures, this is providing extra fuel and moisture to thunderstorms, making flooding more likely.

In New Jersey in the US on Sunday, the Racefaster half marathon was disrupted due to extreme rainfall and a partly submerged course. Runners had to wade through chest-deep waters at times as 50mm-100mm of rain fell. Despite the flooding, 250 people managed to finish the race. Flooding was also reported to the north-east in Connecticut and Rhode Island, where up to 190mm of rain was recorded in a 36-hour period.