Flash floods kill 102-year-old woman and leave 90 having to be rescued as they sweep through Spanish town

Published: 09:34 BST, 3 October 2026 | Updated: 10:12 BST, 3 October 2026

A 102-year-old woman has died and 90 people have had to be rescued following flash floods in a Spanish town.

The woman was found lifeless inside her home in Madrigueras, 120 miles north-west of Alicante yesterday evening. 

Floodwater inside the property is said to have reached a height of more than three feet. 

Astonishing footage and photos published by police showed the carnage caused by the freak weather, with cars piled up on top of each other in the centre of the town as they were battered by a fast-moving river of water.

Spain yesterday issued its highest weather warning and told people to stay indoors as storms threatened popular holiday hotspots along the country's east coast. 

Residents looked on helpless from upper-floor balconies as streets were turned into rivers and cars carried away in the floodwater.

One man was filmed trying to take refuge behind his vehicle as it was caught in a violent rush of water caused by torrential rain.

Civil Guard officers in Albacete, the province Madrigueras is part of, said on X: 'The intense rainfall has caused flooding on urban and interurban roads. The large volume of water has inundated streets and swept away vehicles.'

Terrifying scenes as homes are swamped and cars swept away after 140 litres of rain lashes the Spanish town of Madrigueras in just three hours

Residents and tourists faced a terrifying night after a catastrophic deluge turned streets into raging rivers and swept cars away in Madrigueras, in Albacete

As the waters rose, residents were left watching helplessly as vehicles disappeared beneath the torrent and streets were transformed into fast-flowing rivers

The police force added in a warning to locals and visitors: 'Avoid unnecessary travel and do not cross flooded areas.'

The scenes were said to be reminiscent of the floods in Valencia in 2024, called the dana, that claimed the lives of 232 people including British pensioners Don and Terri Turner. 

Some 90 people were rescued from Spain's most recent floods, most of them after becoming trapped in their homes. 

The flash floods began at around 6pm yesterday. 

Regional government officials had sounded weather warnings but the scale of the flooding took locals by surprise. 

Heavy rain and storms also affected parts of the Costa Blanca last night where orange and yellow alerts were in place. 

Dramatic pictures from Tortosa in Catalonia show the aftermath of yesterday's floods. 

In one picture, a washing machine can be seen floating along a street fully submerged in water. 

Staff from a restaurant were seen cleaning debris from inside a building.  

Spain issued its highest weather warning yesterday and told people to stay indoors as torrential storms threaten parts of the country's east coast. Pictured: Flooding in Santa Barbara

Floodwaters submerge streets, low-lying residential properties, and road infrastructure following intense torrential rainfall in Tortosa, Tarragona province, Catalonia yesterday

A powerful storm system battered the Baix Ebre and Montsia districts across southern Catalonia on Thursday and Friday, dropping over 200 millimeters of rain across several municipalities

Forecasters expect the unstable weather to continue into next week, with eastern Spain and the Balearic Islands most at risk.

The warning level has been raised to red in the worst-hit areas, the highest alert issued by Spain's weather agency.

Officials warned the designation is reserved for situations where there is a risk of severe impacts to both people and property.

Residents were urged to stay indoors, avoid all unnecessary travel and steer clear of flood-prone areas, underpasses and normally dry riverbeds, which can quickly fill with water during intense downpours.

Authorities also advised people to keep a close watch on vulnerable relatives and neighbours, including elderly people, children and those with disabilities.