Deadly Storm Hits Spain

23rd January 2020

The Balearic Islands and the Costa Blanca are still under government warnings for weather, after being hit by Storm Gloria, the worst winter storm recorded in Spain in over 30 years. The storm has so far claimed three lives, and it’s expected to continue its path of destruction over Spain and even France in the coming days.

The Foreign Office has reported that areas of Spain are under a red “extreme risk” warning, as hundreds of flights to Eastern Spain are cancelled, for a second day. The risk levels are expected to decrease, but not soon enough for the British holiday makers stranded.

The storm bought winds of up to 75mph, which in turn whipped up waves of over 25ft in some resorts, causing flooding and damage to coastal areas as well as blizzard conditions, after heavy snowfall inland.

One man died in Oviedo, in the north of the country, while trying to attach snow chains to his car tyres, it’s reported that his wife and two young children sadly witnessed the incident.

A second 63-year-old man died after being struck by a roof tile in Avila. The third victim of Storm Gloria, a 54-year-old woman thought to be homeless, died of hypothermia in a park in Gandia, Costa Blanca. It’s thought that she and her husband had been offered shelter, but they had refused, taking only blankets and food.

British holiday makers are being told to check on the status of the area they are travelling to, before setting off for the Airport. You can keep up to date with the latest advice here GOV.UK – Travel Advice Spain.

Published 23 Jan 2020

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