RESIDENTS in Valencia have been urged to take extreme caution this weekend as the first named DANA of the winter season makes landfall.
State meteorological agency Aemet have issued a rare red ‘danger to life’ weather alert for Storm Adam, which has already triggered flash flooding in Almeria and wreaked havoc further up the Mediterranean coast in Barcelona.
Storm Adam heads for Spain: First named DANA of the season brings threat of torrential rain and flooding – with red alerts in Barcelona and Valencia
???Situació meteorològica molt adversa demà DIUMENGE??Avís ROIG activat al litoral sud de València i nord d’Alacant. El perill meteorològic és extraordinari. Els béns i la població vulnerables o en zones exposades podrien patir impactes molt greus o catastròfics. #DanaAdam AEMET Comunitat Valenciana (@AEMET_CValencia) October 17, 2026
The warning, which covers much of the Costa Blanca including southern Valencia and northern Alicante province, comes into force at 10am on Sunday and is expected to remain in place until at least 10am on Monday.
The latest weather models suggest more than 200mm of rain could fall in the region in just 12 hours – with some scenarios forecasting frightening totals of between 350mm and 700mm.
Costa del Sol braces for torrential rain as AEMET issues yellow warnings ahead of weekend deluge
Y es mas, puede ocurrir lo que marca el suizo que es un modelo muy bueno también. Y lleva desde ayer por la tarde marcando 600-700mm en puntos de la marina alta y la safor. pic.twitter.com/nL18phmbHq— ValènciaWeather?? (@Valencia_WX) October 17, 2026
Aemet’s official warning states: “The meteorological danger is extraordinary. Vulnerable people and property in exposed areas could suffer very serious or catastrophic impacts.”
The Valencian emergency coordination centre sent two ES-Alert messages on Saturday afternoon, urging residents and visitors to avoid all travel, avoid flood-prone areas, respect road closures and seek higher ground in case of flooding.
WATCH: At least two dead as ‘mini-hurricane’ batters Barcelona in wettest day in 20 years – with fears key river could burst its banks
?? DOMINGO POR LA TARDE: LAS HORAS MÁS DURAS DEL TEMPORALLos cálculos de los modelos para mañana apuntan a lluvias torrenciales que pueden causar problemas en puntos de la Safor y la Marina Alta.? El promedio de los modelos mete ahora el grueso en el mar, pero la… pic.twitter.com/a7ZneHcyv5— ValènciaWeather?? (@Valencia_WX) October 17, 2026
Valencia city council has closed all parks, gardens, libraries and municipal cemeteries ahead of the expected deluge, while a concert at the Palau de la Musica for the 700th anniversary of Corpus Christi has also been shelved.
Football matches in the region have also been cancelled.
The provincial fire service has activated its severe weather reinforcement protocol from 8pm on Saturday ahead of an expected uptick in call-outs.
WATCH: Torrential rain and flooding lash Spain’s eastern coast from Costa Blanca to Barcelona during red ‘danger to life’ alert
??? AVISO ROJO | Lluvias torrenciales? Litoral sur de Valencia y Litoral norte de Alicante.?? Domingo 18 y lunes 19.?? Más de 200 l/m² en 12 horas; en algunos puntos, 300 l/m² en 24 horas.?? Situación muy adversa que puede derivar en inundaciones y crecidas de cauces.1/2 pic.twitter.com/SFvJ8OumSo— AEMET (@AEMET_Esp) October 17, 2026
One sliver of hope for residents is that some forecasts indicate the worst of the torrential rain could fall over the Mediterranean Sea rather than over land.
Some models suggest a low chance a Mediterranean hurricane could form out at sea.
Valencia DANA death toll rises to 232 almost two years on from devastating floods after new victim identified
Lluvias torrenciales #Mediterráneo ?? Una DANA en el Cantábrico y otra en el Golfo de Cádiz dejarán acumulados que podrán superar los 300 l/m2 en La Marina Alta, La Safor y R. Baixa (CV) Ibiza puede superar los 200. Lloverá con fuerza en casi cualquier punto desde Málaga a Girona pic.twitter.com/VMQGjOkOFN— Gabriel G. Valcárcel (@GabriValcarcel) October 16, 2026
The storm is being driven by two pockets of cold air developing around the Iberian Peninsula – one around the Bay of Biscay and another near the Gulf of Cadiz.
Their interaction is steering moisture-laden winds towards the Mediterranean, creating the perfect conditions for persistent and potentially torrential downpours.
Fury and grief led to downfall of Valencian President Carlos Mazon, blamed by many for the deaths of 229 people in 2024’s DANA floods
?? IMPRESIONANTE ?? Las acumulaciones que contemplan para las provincias de Alicante y Valencia son desorbitadas ????700-800 mm, esperemos que no llegue a tal calibre por podría ser una catástrofe ???? pic.twitter.com/MEqw1wErpO— ??????????????? (@MeteoAlhambra) October 17, 2026
Residents are urged to follow updates from the relevant authorities as the DANA system continues to develop.
The latest storm comes nearly two years on from a devastating DANA that triggered mass flash floods in Valencia, killing 242 people.
Click here to read more Spain News from The Olive Press.
