Severe flash floods, tornado hit Spain, leaving 6 dead or missing

Severe flash floods hit parts of northeastern Spain on October 23, 2019, leaving at least 2 people dead and 4 others missing. Adding to the devastating weather was a tornado that touched down in Ibiza, causing damage and injuring civilians. Thousands of residents were left without electricity.

Several locations in Baix Camp, Garrigues, and Alt Empordà recorded more than 200 mm (7.8 inches) in 24 hours to October 23, according to data provided by Servei Meteorològic de Catalunya (Meteocat). Prades, Baix Camp, recorded 287.4 mm (11.2 inches) of rain in 24 hours. More than 150 mm (5.9 inches) of rain fell in parts of Pla d’Urgell, unprecedented for the area.

Image credit: Civil Protection, Catalonia

Image credit: Catalunya Bombers

The floodwaters carried away a 70-year old man as he tried to reach his car. His body was found on a beach near Arenys de Mar, Catalonia. According to the regional Mossos d'Esquadra force, the man is the same civilian who search and rescue teams had been looking for throughout the night.

"Authorities are searching for two people believed to have been swept away in floods who were in a prefabricated bungalow as well as a person who has disappeared in the Arenys de Mar area," Regional Civil Protection chief Sergio Delgado said.

Catalan Interior Minister Miquel Buch said emergency teams are also searching for two others missing in L'Espluga de Francoli northwest of Vilaverd.

A mother and her son were reported missing after their prefab home got swept away by waters from a swollen river in the Vilaverd village near the east coast city of Tarragona. A helicopter has been involved in the search operations.

Thousands of people experienced power outages.

Three workers were injured when a tornado uprooted their maintenance hut in the Ibizan resort of Sant Antoni. Moreover, around 200 trees were torn by the harsh weather.

Much of Spain was hit by a slow-moving storm system last month, killing 7 people and causing huge damage.

6 dead, 300 000 ha (741 000 acres) of prime agricultural land destroyed after worst storm in 140 years hit Spain (September 16)

Worst storm in over a century hits Spain, major floods and tornadoes reported (September 12, 2019)

Featured image credit: Mossos D'Esquadra