FLASH floods have hit parts of Spain causing catastrophic damage.
At least 220 people are known to have died as parts of the country were submerged underwater on Tuesday, October 29, 2024 — we unpack what has happened and whether it is currently safe to travel to Spain.
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Where are the floods in Spain?
The Spanish floods have hit areas in the south and east of the country.
Torrential rain fell hardest in the provinces of Valencia and Malaga, causing flash flooding and overflowing rivers.
Towns and villages in other regions of Spain, including Murcia and Castilla-La Mancha, have also been affected.
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What has the impact of the floods been?
Streets in Valencia have been devastated by rapidly-flowing floodwater which has swept away cars and burst into houses.
read more on the Spain floods
40 people are either dead or missing in one small area on Valencia city’s outskirts alone, but officials have said it is “impossible” to put a definite number on the amount of people killed.
Roughly 600 people were trapped overnight in Valencia’s largest shopping centre, the Bonaire mall, after the ground floor flooded.
Locals have been told to avoid any travel.
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Elsewhere, cars have been damaged in Almeria after golf-ball-sized hailstones fell during the storm, and a train in Andalusia derailed, though nobody was injured.
Flights were initially delayed and diverted from Valencia airport, with it eventually closing temporarily on Tuesday, October 29.
How will the floods affect my trip to Spain?
It has been reported that flights from the UK were among the 30 diverted from landing at Valencia airport on Tuesday.
Other planes due to depart from Valencia were also cancelled, but services resumed on Wednesday, October 30, albeit with hour-long delays.
Flights to and from Malaga airport are still on schedule.
If you are travelling to Spain, it is advised that you check with your airline for the latest information on your flight status.
Most airlines will not offer compensation for any disruption caused by flooding or other natural disasters.
However, if you purchased a travel insurance policy that covers natural disasters prior to the Spain floods, you will be protected financially.
As buildings in the provinces hit by flooding may have been damaged, it is also worth checking with your accommodation provider.
Trips to parts of Spain unaffected by the flooding, such as the north and the west, are unlikely to be affected.
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On November 13, a tornado heading towards Marbella forced thousands of people to flee their homes as the region braced for catastrophic weather.
The freak weather phenomenon was preceded by the appearance of a waterspout off the coast of Marbella.
Spain’s Civil Protection Agency sent a mass alert to mobile phones in Malaga province just after 10pm on November 12.
The warning in Spanish and English read: “Red warning activated. Extreme risk of rainfall.
“Be very cautious, avoid travel.”
The Costa del Sol was also going into lockdown on November 13, amid a red weather warning for the area.
Is it safe to travel to Valencia and Malaga?
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The UK government updated its travel advice for Spain on Wednesday, Novevber 13, 2024.
According to the warning: “Severe weather and flooding is affecting many areas along the Mediterranean coastline of Spain.
“In particular, many parts of the Valencia region and Castilla La Mancha continue to be severely affected by recent flooding.
“Journeys may be affected.
“Check the latest weather warnings from Spain’s meteorological office before you travel and follow instructions from local authorities.”
As residents of Valencia have been warned to avoid all travel, it is not currently recommended that you make the journey to this area.
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