Torrential Rain and Flash Floods Batter Spain's Costa Blanca

Brutal storms lashed Spain's Costa Blanca on Saturday morning, with torrential rain and flash flooding inundating streets and leaving cars stranded in the province of Alicante. The severe weather struck just 48 hours after a British man died in flash floods near Barcelona.

Up to 50 liters of rain per square meter fell along parts of the coast in a few hours, accompanied by thunder and lightning. Dramatic footage showed dozens of cars stuck in muddy floodwater, with one clip depicting water surging onto a bar terrace, submerging chairs and tables. Popular holiday destinations including Alicante and Benidorm were among the areas affected.

Near Denia, a large waterspout was observed over the sea. In Orihuela, firefighters responded after a palm tree was struck by lightning and caught fire. Spain's national weather agency AEMET described the storms as highly localized but intense, with varying rainfall totals across coastal communities. The agency issued and later dropped an orange alert for wind, rain, and storms, with a yellow alert remaining in effect for Lorca, Cartagena, and San Javier.

This recent deluge follows the death of a British man on Thursday in Olivella, near Barcelona, whose body was recovered about 1,500 feet from his car after it was swept away. Authorities reported that the man appeared to have tried to exit his vehicle before being carried away by the water. The previous day's heavy rain caused widespread travel disruption across Catalonia and Valencia, with flights canceled and roads submerged.

Authorities have also issued warnings for potential severe weather in popular holiday destinations such as Benidorm, Ibiza, and Magaluf in the coming days. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez cautioned about "very complicated situations" and urged the public to avoid travel. The extreme weather occurs after Spain experienced its hottest summer on record, during which numerous wildfires erupted across the country.