Storm Hortense hits Mallorca with wind gusts up to 170 km/h (105 mph), Spain

Storm Hortense left a trail of destruction after it made landfall in Mallorca, Spain on January 23, 2021. Significant damage was reported across the island and at least 2 people were injured.

Aemet reported a gust of 130 km/h (81 mph) at Son Sant Airport, which broke a record set in February 1996 at 118 km/h (74 mph).

In the Tramuntana Mountains, a gust of 144 km/h (90 mph) was registered at the Alfabia weather station, though gusts elsewhere reached 170 km/h (105 mph).

According to Spanish media, 26 roads in Mallorca were closed to due landslides and a number of downed trees.

Emergency Services and Police said they were saturated with calls for help, the majority of them from Calvia, Llucmajor, Manacor, and Palma.

Severe damage was reported in Palma, the Majorca Daily Bulletin reports.

The entire ledge of a 3-story building collapsed in Carrer de Pere Dezcallar I Net, crushing a nearby parked car. The winds lifted to roof off a car in Poligono Can Valero, injuring a passer-by as it flew through the air. 

In addition, fallen trees blocked the streets in Son Rapinya and Can Pastilla and strong winds lifted a massive tarpaulin off a building site in Carrer de la Dragonera.

A Calvia Police Officer was hit in the back by a metal plate from a construction site in El Toro and had to be taken to hospital and an old mill in Son Pelat that was renovated by Pedro Cirer just over a year ago collapsed during the storm, destroying a car.

Featured image acquired at 13:45 UTC on January 23, 2021. Credit: EUMETSAT/Meteosat-11, RAMMB/CIRA, TW