Mother Feared Dead as Storm Adam Lashes Spain with Torrential Rain

A mother is feared dead in Spain after being swept away by powerful floodwaters while attempting to cross a swollen stream with her daughter. The incident occurred in Cabrera de Mar, approximately 18 miles from Barcelona, on Saturday evening.

The woman's husband managed to save their daughter from being carried away by the raging torrent. The family had been returning to their car after playing basketball when the woman was overcome by the water around 7:30 p.m. She was in her 40s and resided in Malgrat de Mar.

Rescue efforts are underway, involving six firefighter units, police divers, and drones. The mayor of Cabrera de Mar, Oscar Fernandez, stated that a family attempted to cross the stream on foot, and one member was swept away by the fast-moving water.

Storm Adam has brought torrential rain to southern and eastern Spain, transforming streets into rivers and causing widespread disruption. Large recycling bins and vehicles have been seen floating downstream. Emergency services have responded to over 100 calls since Saturday, primarily from individuals trapped in their vehicles.

Costa Blanca is under a rare 'danger to life' warning from Sunday morning until Monday morning. The state weather forecaster Aemet issued a red alert for areas including Malaga city, Torremolinos, Fuengirola, Marbella, Estepona, Nerja, and the Axarquia region, warning of potential catastrophic impacts.

Heavy rainfall is expected to continue, with the southern coast of Valencia and northern Alicante potentially receiving up to 300mm of rain on Monday. Tourists and residents have been advised to stay indoors, avoid non-essential travel, and steer clear of low-lying areas, riverbeds, and beaches.

Public buildings such as libraries and gardens have been closed, and football matches and concerts have been canceled. Several roads are also closed or restricted due to the risk of landslides.

This storm follows recent flooding in Catalonia earlier in the month, which resulted in two fatalities: a 75-year-old man whose campsite wall collapsed and another man found in a flooded garage. In a separate incident, the body of a 12-year-old boy, Rami, who went missing during a storm on October 4, was recovered on Wednesday.

Storm Adam's intensity recalls the mass flash floods in Valencia two years prior, which claimed 214 lives. As of Sunday, no injuries or fatalities have been reported from the current weekend's events.