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The Met Office issues alert to UK tourists in Spain and Portugal as flood death toll rises
by Liv Clarke · Manchester Evening NewsThe UK Met Office has alerted British holidaymakers to more ‘severe weather’ in Spain and Portugal this weekend as the flood death toll rises to at least 205. Further heavy rain is set to hit parts of Spain including Tarragona and the Balearic Islands with amber warnings in place.
The weather alerts come three days after flash floods hit several towns in Spain, predominantly in the Valencia region. Spanish authorities have confirmed that the death toll now stands at at least 205, with 202 of these in Valencia alone.
Clean-up efforts have begun after the flood waters left scenes of devastation, with cars piled high in roads and buildings covered in layers of wood. Power cuts are ongoing in some areas while others are struggling to access running water.
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The UK Met Office warned that more flooding could occur and highlighted warnings issued by Portugal’s and Spain’s national weather agencies. It said: “Further heavy rain will affect parts of Spain and Portugal today and over the weekend. Severe weather warnings have been issued by the Spanish and Portuguese Weather Institutes @AEMET_Esp and @ipma_pt with further flooding possible in places.”
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In Portugal yellow warnings for rain are in force in the south of the country, lasting until midnight tonight. But showers are forecast for the entire country. By Saturday showers are still expected in the south, but conditions should be drier in the north.
Meanwhile, Spain’s national weather agency Amete has issued amber rain alerts for the south west, Tarragona, and the Balearic Islands, along with yellow warnings for rain and storms across the north east coastline. The amber warnings remain in place for Majorca and Menorca on Saturday as the islands brace themselves for the weather front which is moving in from mainland Spain.
Aemet warned people in the Balearics of developing storms and has urged people to avoid flood zones, ravines and gullies. Measures have already been announced in Majorca’s capital city Palma with residents told to stay indoors unless absolutely necessary.
Posting on X, Aemet said: “Caution is advised in the Balearic Islands: storms are beginning to develop that can leave large amounts of rain in short periods of time. In addition, these showers may also be persistent. Stay away from flood zones, ravines and gullies.”