A devastating flood swept through the Spanish town of Madrigueras, located in Albacete, on Friday, resulting in the death of a 102-year-old woman. The victim was found inside her ground-floor home, where water had risen to over one meter. Emergency services received numerous calls for help as the situation rapidly deteriorated. The flooding was caused by intense rainfall, which recorded 142 liters of rain per square meter in Madrigueras.
The emergency response was immediate, with crews working through the night to rescue those trapped in homes and streets. A total of 90 rescues were carried out, mainly involving people stuck inside affected homes. The Guardia Civil's Citizen Security Unit was deployed overnight, while GEACAM teams joined recovery operations on Saturday morning. The emergency response brought together various regional and local personnel, including civil protection officials, the Guardia Civil, and the Red Cross.
The flooding had a significant impact on the town, with streets turned into torrents, vehicles swept away, and homes, businesses, and buildings inundated. Some residents were unable to leave their homes as floodwater accumulated around buildings. The disruption also affected access to Madrigueras, with several roads temporarily closed. Authorities reopened the CM-316 and AB-105 roads, but the CM-3222 remained closed at kilometer five.
The Castilla-La Mancha government activated the METEOCAM emergency plan at Operational Situation 1 in Albacete. The plan allowed for a coordinated response to the disaster, involving various regional and local agencies. As the water receded, authorities began clearing mud, removing vehicles, and cleaning affected areas. Residents woke up on Saturday to find streets covered in mud, vehicles piled up, and homes and businesses damaged.
The scale of the flooding was evident in images from the town, which showed the extent of the damage and the cleanup efforts underway. The flooding also had a significant emotional impact on residents, who had to endure a difficult night and a challenging cleanup process. The community came together to support those affected by the disaster.
The METEOCAM emergency plan and the deployment of emergency services helped mitigate the effects of the disaster. However, the flooding still resulted in significant damage and a loss of life. The incident highlights the importance of emergency preparedness and response in the face of extreme weather events.
The town of Madrigueras is slowly returning to normal after the devastating flood. Authorities continue to work on cleaning and restoring affected areas. The incident serves as a reminder of the power of nature and the importance of being prepared for extreme weather events.
Key points
- A 102-year-old woman died in the flood, and 90 rescues were carried out.
- The flooding was caused by intense rainfall, which recorded 142 liters of rain per square meter.
- The emergency response involved various regional and local agencies.
