by Richard Davies, Floodlist

Areas of Portugal, Spain, Italy and Croatia saw severe flooding as bouts of stormy weather moved across parts of Europe from mid-September 2022. As much as 420 mm of rain fell in just 3 hours in Italy’s Marche Region where 11 people lost their lives in the ensuing floods. 

 

Guarda District, Portugal 3 September 2022 

The Portuguese Institute of Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) issued warnings for severe weather from 11 September 2022 as Extratropical Cyclone Danielle made its way across the Iberian Peninsula. 

Portugal Civil Protection recorded more than 350 incidents related to the bad weather from 12 to 13 September, mostly for wind damage and minor flooding in the districts of Lisbon and Setúbal. 

The worst of the flooding however occurred in Manteigas municipality, Guarda District, where heavy rain fell on burn scar areas of the Serra da Estrela mountain range. The area had seen intense forest fires during the summer prompting the government to declare a state of calamity. 

From late 12 September 2022 flood water, mud, downed trees and debris raced down hillsides around the village of Sameiro in Manteigas municipality, damaging buildings, infrastructure and dragging vehicles into the Zêzere river. The Mayor of Manteigas, Flávio Massano said the damage was enormous. 

The Portuguese Institute of Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) reported the city of Guarda recorded 83.7 mm of rain in 24 hours on 13 September. 

 

Catalonia and Valencia, Spain 16 to 18 September 

Stormy weather and heavy rain affected the regions of Catalonia and Valencia in Spain from 16 September 2022. 

According to the Meteorological Service of Catalonia, 90 mm of rain fell in the Port of Mataró area in 60 minutes on 16 September. One person was injured when a vehicle was submerged in a flooded underpass in Mataró in the province of Barcelona on 16 September. Emergency services responded to over 150 incidents during the storm, mostly in Maresme and Selva comarques. 

Flooding was also reported in Castellón and Alicante Provinces in Valencia Region from 17 September.  In 12 hours, Oropesa del Mar recorded 144.4 mm of rain; Benissa 139.0 mm; Torreblanca 138.8 mm; and Callosa d’en Sarrià 132.0 mm. 

Firefighters in Castellón Province rescued people from several vehicles trapped in flood waters. Dozens of people were evacuated from flooded campsites in Cabanes. A police officer died in tragic circumstance trying to rescue a driver swept away in flood waters in Benissa. 

In a statement, Ximo Puig, President of the Valencian Government, said “I want to convey my condolences to the family and friends of the policeman, who tried to save a man in an act of great generosity.” 

 

Marche Region, Italy 15 to 16 September 2022 

At least 11 people lost their lives after torrential rain overnight 15 to 16 September 2022 triggered catastrophic flooding in the Marche Region of Italy. 

President of the Marche Region, Francesco Acquaroli, said in a statement that 420 mm of rain fell in about 3 hours. 

The regional government reported severe flooding in Cantiano, Cagli, Frontone, Pergola, Serra Sant'Abbondio in the province of Pesaro Urbino; and in Sassoferrato, Arcevia, Ostra, Serra de Conti, Ostra Vetere, Barbara, Trecastelli, Corinaldo in the province of Ancona. 

Rivers including the Misa, Cesano and Esino, along with several small watercourses, broke their banks. The regional government said flooding caused bridges to collapse, blocked roads, damaged homes, interrupted power supply and swept away vehicles. Some areas were left without telecommunications and water supply. Emergency Services received more than 2,600 calls for assistance. 

Italy’s fire service Vigili del Fuoco said teams involving 300 personnel rescued dozens of people. Many had taken refuge on the roofs of houses and in trees to escape the flooding.  By 16 September more than 400 interventions had been carried out, including helicopter rescues. Vigili del Fuoco reported 7 people had died and 3 were missing. Some of those rescued were taken to hospital with injuries or for treatment for hypothermia.  As of 18 September, news agencies reported 11 fatalities and 2 missing. 

Francesco Acquaroli, President of the Marche Region declared 2 days of mourning. He said “the pain for what happened is deep, but the Marchega community is strong and will know how to react. My thoughts are with the missing people and their families, to whom I express my sympathy and closeness.” 

The Copernicus Emergency Management Service Rapid Mapping team was activated by the Italian Civil Protection.

 

Murcia Region, Spain 25 to 26 September 

Heavy rain caused destructive floods in the Murcia region of Spain from 25 to 26 September 2022. Firefighters reported one person died after floods destroyed a home, while emergency services responded to dozens of call-outs including flood rescues. 

Spain’s State Meteorological Agency AEMET reported more than 29 mm of rain was recorded in just 10 minutes at the Cabo de Palos weather station in the municipality of Cartagena, and more than 86 mm in 60 minutes. 

The rain triggered flooding and landslides in 19 municipalities of the region, damaging homes, streets and vehicles. Several road traffic accidents were blamed on the severe weather. Emergency services received a total of 293 calls for assistance, including 77 in Cartegena aand 72 in Murcia. 

Murcia Fire Service reported one person died and several were rescued from their homes after a torrent of water destroyed one house and damaged others in Javalí Viejo district near Murcia city. 

 

Croatia, 28 September 

Police in Croatia reported one person died in flash floods in the port city of Rijeka after torrential rain on 28 September 2022. 

Croatian Meteorological and Hydrological Service (DHMZ) said 287.5 mm of rain fell in 24 hours in Rijeka.  Local media said unofficial figures showed the city recorded 140 mm of rain in just 2 hours. 

Streets of the city and areas of Istria County were swamped and traffic brought to a standstill. Homes and public buildings including a school and a police headquarters were damaged. Emergency services received around 200 calls for assistance. 

In a statement early 29 September Mayor of Rijeka Marko Filipović offered his condolences to the family of the victim.