Following devastating floods in Spain which have killed at least 217 people and put estimates of the missing in the thousands, the country’s largest peacetime deployment of search and rescues is underway, and national governments around the world have issued travel advice for affected areas.
What happened?
A so-called “cold drop” of air from the jetstream hit the country’s south and south eastern corner bringing torrential rains that have filled ravines, washed away homes, businesses and roads and spread debris, including piled up vehicles, in the path of rescuers. This includes beloved tourist destinations, such as Cadiz, Seville, Granada and Valencia.
At the time of writing, weather warnings for Valencia, Andalusia and Murcia have abated, but Spain’s national weather agency, Aemet is forecasting more bad weather to come and has issued a red warning for heavy rain and flooding for Barcelona and the surrounding area.
Road, bus, metro
The Visit Valencia website tells travellers that, “As a preventive measure, authorities recommend avoiding car travel throughout the province to allow emergency services to move freely to affected areas and address the severe damage.”
The agency continues: “If travel is essential, be aware that road conditions are changing and it is best to check the latest updates on the official channels of the Traffic Department or the Valencia City Council’s Traffic Office. Circulation in flood-affected areas is restricted over the weekend to facilitate emergency work. Check the affected roads here.”
Some urban buses are running but the metro is not operational while damage is being assessed.
Air and train travel
The airport is accessible by road and by bus 150, but flyers should note some airlines are experiencing delays.
By rail, high-speed train services between Valencia and Madrid are suspended for an estimated 2-3 weeks. In good news, services between Valencia and Barcelona, and the Valencia-Castellón-Vinaròs and Valencia-Teruel-Zaragoza regional lines are up and running again but only for travel deemed essential. Commuter trains C5 (València Nord-Caudiel) and C6 (València Nord-Castellón) have been “partially restored”, the website says.
Businesses and tourist attractions
While “travel is generally discouraged” all tourist offices are open, as are “most museums” Visit Valencia states, including the City of Art and Sciences and the Bioparc. Exceptions that remain closed are “the Natural Science Museum, the Torres de Quart and Serranos, the Tossal Gallery, the Concha Piquer Museum, the Atarazanas, the San Vicente Crypt, MUVIM, L’Etno, Museo de Prehistoria and Centre Cultural de Beneficència.”
Restaurants and businesses are open too, the agency highlights, but much of the cultural calendar has been paused for a period of mourning and recovery.
Other travel advice sources
The UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office was updated on 30 October, one day after flooding began, and again on 4 November 2024. It currently notes: “Severe weather and flooding is affecting many areas of Southern and Eastern Spain, particularly the Valencia region and Castilla La Mancha. Journeys may be affected. Check the latest weather warnings from Spain’s meteorological office before you travel and follow instructions from local authorities.”
However, that stops short of the warning against non-essential travel that would be required for many travellers to be able to claim on insurance for trips they have lost out on. Anyone affected should check their policies for natural disaster coverage.
Meanwhile, US advice to American citizens from its embassy in Spain and Andorra reads: “Event: On November 3, the Spanish Meteorological Agency (Agencia Estatal de Meteorología, AEMET) issued orange and red alerts (the two highest alert levels) in various regions throughout Spain, including Valencia and southern parts of Catalonia, due to continued heavy rainfall and the potential for additional flooding.”
The embassy tells travellers to take the following action:
- Avoid affected areas.
- Follow the instructions of local authorities.
- Monitor local weather reports. Even where it is not raining, rain in other nearby areas can lead to hazardous conditions.
- Avoid driving to or within affected areas.
- Call 112 for emergency assistance.
