People missing as flash floods sweep across Spain sending cars floating down street amid 'historic' weather event

Several people have been reported missing after flash floods swept cars through village streets and trapped people inside their homes amid a 'historic' weather event in large areas of eastern and southern Spain.

Rushing mud-coloured waters caused havoc in a huge arc of the European country, running from the provinces of Malaga in the south to Valencia in the east. The country was under severe weather alert for Storm Dana, which warned of flash flooding and landslides.

Images shot by people with smartphones reproduced on Spain’s national broadcaster RTVE showed frighteningly swift waters carrying away cars and rising several feet into the lower level of homes.

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A high-speed train with nearly 300 people on board derailed near Malaga, although rail authorities said no-one was hurt. The high-speed train service between Valencia city and Madrid was interrupted as were several commuter lines.

The national government office for the Castilla La Mancha region told radio channel Cadena Ser that six people in the region were missing. Spanish news agency EFE said that one truck driver was missing in L’Alcudia, a town in Valencia.

Also in Valencia, the mayor of Utiel, Ricardo Gabaldon, told RTVE that several people were trapped in their homes. Police and rescue services used helicopters to lift people from homes and cars.

Footage posted on social media appeared to show a police car being swept away by flood waters in Valencia. Spanish authorities in the worst-hit areas urged citizens to remain in their homes and avoid all non-essential travel.

AEMET, the country's state weather agency, issued a red alert for the eastern Valencia region with the second-highest level of alert put in place for parts of Andalusia in the south.

Footage captured in the Valencian town of Alzira showed firefighters rescuing trapped drivers and flooded streets as heavy rain pummelled the area.

Nick Finnis, a Netweather forecaster, shared a clip on X showing flood waters barrelling through Albacete in central Spain. He wrote: "Scary fast-flowing flash floods through streets of Albacete, Spain today, these aren't rare incidents anymore, this is one of several Spanish communities quite far apart seeing streets turn into raging rivers yesterday, today and likely tomorrow too".

An emergency rescue brigade of Spain’s army deployed to help rescue efforts. Storms were forecast to continue until Thursday (October 31), according to Spain’s national weather service.

AEMET had anticipated that Valencia would bear the brunt of the storm, with more than 3.5 inches (90mm) forecast in less than an hour, or 180 mm in less than 12 hours.

Spain has experienced similar autumn storms in recent years. The country has recovered somewhat from a severe drought this year thanks to rainfall. Scientists say that increased episodes of extreme weather are probably linked to climate change.

You can find the latest AEMET forecasts and weather advice in here.