Heavy rain accompanied by floods has claimed at least two lives in eastern Spain, authorities announced on Monday. Local authorities reported one death in Sagunto during the night from Sunday to Monday, while firefighters in the northern region of Catalonia confirmed that a woman died after falling into a stream.
Authorities have urged residents of the Valencian region to stay home and avoid all travel. A warning has been issued for more than 800,000 residents. Juan Carlos Valderrama, head of civil protection in the Valencian region, stated on Monday morning: "It is not possible to go out in traffic, you must stay home. Intense, continuous rain is causing major floods."
Valderrama added: "Since last night, more than 500 litres per square metre has fallen in some areas. Therefore, we ask you to follow the recommendations, as many people are trapped" and waiting to be rescued. Videos published by the Valencia meteorological institute show streets turned into torrents carrying away vehicles in several cities across the provinces of Valencia and Alicante. Helicopters were rescuing people trapped on house roofs, and emergency services were on the ground in the early morning hours to evacuate people whose homes had been flooded and who had sought shelter on their roofs.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez wrote on X: "Rescue operations are underway in areas that are difficult to access. The public is urged to avoid all travel", describing the situation in the Valencian region as "very serious".
According to scientists, climate change is worsening the severe weather conditions that usually affect eastern Spain in autumn. The sea absorbs heat during the summer, which increases evaporation and leads to heavier rainfall. According to the Spanish meteorological institute, September 2026 was the warmest recorded on the peninsula in history, and the period between June and August also experienced the warmest summer on record.
