Balearic Islands Hit by Severe Storm: Red Alert, Military Intervention
The Balearic Islands faced severe weather conditions on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, with heavy rainfall and flooding leading to a red alert and military intervention. The Spanish weather service, AEMET, recorded extreme precipitation and deployed emergency units to assist in the crisis.
The storm began around 12:30 hours in Ibiza, with some weather stations registering over 230 liters per square meter within an hour. The Valencian Meteorological Association estimated a total of 225.8 liters per square meter in Gandía. The General Directorate of Emergencies recorded 132 incidents due to the torrential rain, but fortunately, there were no fatalities or serious injuries.
The heavy rains caused power outages and rescues from vehicles and homes in Ibiza and Formentera. Several water spouts were reported in coastal municipalities, with Gandía, Cullera, and Sueca requiring interventions to rescue people trapped by water. Extreme precipitation values were recorded, such as 66 liters per square meter in Sueca in just 35 minutes and 20 liters per square meter in Valencia's maritime neighborhoods in 20 minutes.
The Aemet lowered the alert to orange level at 16:00 hours in Ibiza and Formentera, and the orange alert was restored in the northern coast of Alicante from 12:00 to 16:00 hours, affecting 53 municipalities and nearly 179,000 students. The La Saleta ravine in Aldaia overflowed, flooding some streets but causing no major damages. Despite the severe weather, the emergency services and military support ensured the safety of the residents.
