A shoulder-season getaway to the Med, now that it’s not being blistered by the searingly hot temperatures of the summer months, is likely on the horizon for plenty of travellers.
However, popular holiday destinations in both Spain and Greece have been hit by torrential rain and flooding, with videos of torrents of water crashing down streets circulating online. So what should you do if you have a trip booked? Below is everything we know about the worst-affected areas and your rights as a traveller.
Where is the flooding in Europe?
Spain
The northeastern region of Catalonia has been hit the hardest by flooding in Spain. Residents near the Darro and Ridaura rivers, which burst their banks, were told to stay home. The government issued a rare red alert for Barcelona and Girona, and according to The Olive Press, disruption due to floods will last into Monday October 5. Two people died in the region on Sunday.
According to the BBC, firefighters here received and responded to over 1,500 calls in the region, and Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez said the situation in Catalonia remained ‘very complicated.’
Greece
Flash floods swept across the island of Crete last week, which was placed under an urgent red alert until Sunday night, according to The Independent. Roads, properties and farms have all suffered notable damage, and several schools across Crete were forced to close. The areas worst affected are Rethymno, Heraklion and Chania.
What’s causing floods and extreme weather?
In Spain, a phenomenon known as DANA, which often affects the east coast in the autumn, is to blame for these floods. The Sun reports that low-hanging, humid air over the Mediterranean can collide with cold gusts of wind, and this triggers violent thunderstorms.
This storm saw nearly 8 inches of rain fall, and according to the paper, 18,000 people had no electricity on Saturday night.
Crete also suffered dramatic thunderstorms which led to these flash floods. According to euronews, 91 millimetres of rain had been recorded by 3.10pm on Sunday. This was even higher in an upland basin on the island, the Lasithi Plateau, which saw 440 millimetres of rain, transforming what is usually dry land into a lake of rainwater.
Is it safe to travel?
Throughout Sunday and into Monday, Spanish authorities continued to advise against non-essential travel – even after the rain.
Several casualties have been reported over the weekend. An elderly woman died when her Madrigueras home was flooded, and an elderly man, who was at a campsite in Tordera, died when a wall collapsed on top of him. There has also been a report of a man who died in a flooded garage in Montornes del Valles, Barcelona.
In Crete, the Independent reports that a livestock farmer died in the Rethymno region after being swept away by flood water, and a couple who were injured when a bridge collapsed have been hospitalised. Here, firefighters received over 250 calls for help, and mayor of Mylopotamos (in Rethymno) Giorgos Klados said he doesn’t ‘remember anything like this happening before.’
To get all the latest information, ensure you’re checking local news outlets regularly, and speak directly with your travel provider if you have upcoming plans to travel to Catalonia or Crete.
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