Is it safe to travel to Spain and should I cancel my holiday after a flood disaster?

Eastern Spain has been hit by devastating flash floods this week worst flood disaster the area has experienced in decades.

The rain showers started on Tuesday (October 29) and continued until Wednesday. In the aftermath of the floods, cars are left on the streets, surrounded by a sea of ​​rubble from damaged buildings and structures.

At least 158 people have lost their lives after floods swept through the streets, turning walkways into rivers and trapping people in their homes and on car roofs.

It is the worst flooding disaster Spain has seen since at least 1996, when 87 people were killed and 180 injured in a flash flood near Biescas in the Pyrenees.

Rain has lashed Spain’s eastern region and holiday hotspots such as Valencia to Malaga.

Spain’s state weather agency Aemet has issued its toughest weather warning for the south-west of the country, as the province of Huelva was hit by heavy rainfall.

Here you will find the latest news about the situation in Spain and what you need to know about traveling.

Where in Spain has been flooded?

Heavy rainfall, which can last a year in just eight hours in one region, has hit cities such as Valencia and Malaga, causing serious flooding.

At least 158 ​​people have been killed, but as search and rescue teams try to locate many of the missing, more rain is forecast to hit some of the worst-hit areas.

Valencia regional leader Carlos Mazon also announced they will launch a €250 million aid package as local authorities begin trying to clear up road destruction while services are restored.

Emergency services are in their third day of search and rescue operations, with the official daily death toll rising from 95 to 158. The floodwaters will begin to recede and more bodies will be found in cars or under damaged structures.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has announced that Valencia has been declared a disaster area following the deadly flash floods.

Thousands of people continue to face power and water outages and shortages of essential services, especially in the most affected eastern region.

Will the floods affect holidays?

Travel may be disrupted in areas of Spain where stormy weather continues.

The Spanish Air Navigation Office said that unfavorable weather conditions due to the storms will affect arrivals in Palma de Mallorca on Friday. They advise passengers to check with their airline whether the flight will continue.

A large number of arrivals and departures from Britain, Spanish domestic flights and other European countries to Mallorca airport have been delayed from Friday morning. Flight radar shows.

Aena, the Spanish airport group, said on Thursday that if you plan to fly from Valencia airport, they recommend that you contact your airline to find out the status of your flight and check road conditions from official sources as some routes may be affected .

According to Aena, there were 30 diversions and 49 cancellations at Valencia airport on Wednesday, and airlines would reaccommodate passengers who could not fly.

As of Friday morning, there were very few major disruptions to arrivals in Valencia, while some morning departures appeared to be slightly delayed at take-off, with a TAP Air Portugal trip to Lisbon due to depart at 12:00 local time being canceled, according to data from FlightRadar.

There were reports of bad weather at Jerez and Seville airports on Thursday, so Aena has recommended the same advice to check your flight status with your airline.

Government travel advice

From October 31, the British Foreign Office (FCDO) travel advice said travel could be affected by severe weather and flooding affecting many areas in southern and eastern Spain, particularly in the Valencia region and Castilla La Mancha.

The FCDO recommends checking the latest weather warnings from the Spanish Meteorological Office before departure and following instructions from local authorities.

In terms of the Foreign Office’s general advice on traveling to a destination affected by flooding, they warn that the flood waters could cause destruction and loss of life. After a flood, they also warn that there is an increased risk of water-borne diseases and that transport infrastructure could be seriously affected.

The European Meteorological Services advises to travel alone if a trip is essential to the south and north coasts of Castellón, as well as to the northern interior of Castellón.

“Extreme or catastrophic damage to people and property may occur, especially to vulnerable people or in exposed areas,” they wrote.

Is more rain on the way?

The Spanish meteorological agency has issued severe weather warnings Aemet on Friday (November 1).

In the south-west of the country, a red weather warning for extreme risk has been imposed in the province of Huelva. Up to 140mm of rainfall is forecast to fall in 12 hours.

Other areas in the southwest are also under orange and yellow alerts due to storms and rainfall.

While the weather started to calm down in Valencia on Thursday, several yellow and orange weather warnings are still in force across the region, meaning those most affected by the flooding are expecting even more rain.

However, despite the number of warnings decreasing in some places, Aemet has made it clear that people should still be on high alert.

“We are going to send a very clear message and we are going to make it clear. The meteorological emergency is not over yet. The storm is still raging over Spain. There are very heavy storms, yesterday in Andalusia, today in Castellón. We will continue like this for most of the week,” they say said on Thursday.

“Many victims in the province of Valencia were swept away by the flood in areas where it did not rain. The creation of a ravine happens very quickly. Please be very careful.”

Prime Minister Sánchez said on Thursday: “The Spanish weather agency has continued to issue warnings in Valencia and elsewhere in Spain. And that is why I urge everyone to take these recommendations to heart and follow the advice of law enforcement and protection authorities. Anyone affected, please stay home.”

Can I cancel and get my money back?

As the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not warned against non-essential travel to Spain, there will be no special circumstances to be able to cancel a trip for a full refund.

The terms and conditions for canceling your trip depend on your holiday provider, so it is best to contact them if you wish to postpone your trip.

There is no obligation for companies to refund bookings if you wish to cancel, and you will not be able to claim travel insurance due to safety concerns unless advice from the Foreign Office changes.

When it comes to travel insurance, some policies include natural disaster cover for an event that prevents you from reaching your holiday destination. Check your insurance policies and speak to your insurer to see where you stand.

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