Spain’s beloved Costa Blanca is under a red alert for heavy rain as Storm Alice bears down. The national weather agency, AEMET, has blasted out warnings of “extraordinary danger” with flash floods expected to hit from 10am Friday.
Just a year after catastrophic flooding killed 220 in Alicante, locals and tourists face fresh fears of disaster. Authorities are on high alert to stop history repeating itself.
AEMET urged everyone to “follow the advice of civil protection” as over 140mm (5.5 inches) of rain could fall within 12 hours, with Valencia set to take the brunt. Murcia and the Balearic Islands are also in the storm’s crosshairs. Torrential rain is expected to pound the region right through to Monday.
Emergency Crews on High Alert in Storm’s Path
The Balearics are not taking chances. Ibiza’s emergency services have been beefed up under an orange alert, while nearby Formentera is readying rapid response teams for potential floods.
The deluge began Wednesday evening and shows no sign of letting up. Tourists are being urged to stay alert and stick to local advice amid the growing threat.
Remembering Last Year’s Deadly Floods
October 2024’s floods remain Spain’s worst natural disaster in decades. The tragedy claimed 220 lives and sparked fury over inadequate warnings and slow emergency reactions.
Residents hit out at authorities for failing to raise the alarm in time. The region suffered fresh chaos just last month with rain-triggered school closures, traffic snarls, and flash floods.
Climate Change Fuels Fiercer Storms as Millions Poured into Recovery
Experts blame climate change for the rising storm severity. Warmer Mediterranean waters fuel heavier rainfall, pushing flood risks to new heights.
In a major aid boost, the European Commission has pledged €945 million (£820 million) to support Spain’s flood recovery, with total funding expected to hit €1.6 billion including Spanish government funds.
Spanish PM Pedro Sanchez points to climate change as the “key cause” behind recent disasters. EU chief Ursula von der Leyen vowed continuing support: “This commitment reflects our determination to help member states build greater resilience and withstand future crises.”
