🚨 SPANISH MILITARY DEPLOYED AS HISTORIC FLOODING HITS VALENCIA AND COSTA BLANCA — 2,000 CAMPSITE OCCUPANTS EVACUATED

3 Std. · 🚨 SPANISH MILITARY DEPLOYED AS HISTORIC FLOODING HITS VALENCIA AND COSTA BLANCA — 2,000 CAMPSITE OCCUPANTS EVACUATED 📍 OLIVA / GANDIA / PEGO / XÀBIA / COSTA BLANCA / VALENCIA Monday 19 October 2026 — Morning Spain's Military Emergency Unit (UME) has been mobilised as catastrophic rainfall causes widespread flooding across southern Valencia and northern Alicante, leaving neighbourhoods underwater, forcing thousands of campsite occupants to evacuate and triggering emergency rescue operations. The military deployment follows an extraordinary night of torrential rain, with some locations recording more than 600 litres of water per square metre during the storm episode. Authorities have activated Level 2 of the regional flood emergency plan as the situation deteriorates across La Safor and Marina Alta. Residents have received emergency mobile phone alerts warning them to avoid travelling, stay away from rivers and drainage channels, and move to higher ground where flooding threatens their homes. 🪖 SPANISH MILITARY DEPLOYED TO OLIVA The Military Emergency Unit, known in Spain as the Unidad Militar de Emergencias (UME), has mobilised personnel from its Third Intervention Battalion, based in Bétera, Valencia. The soldiers have been sent towards Oliva and surrounding flood-affected areas to reinforce firefighters, police and civil protection teams. Oliva, a coastal town between Gandia and Dénia, is among the worst-affected locations. Large sections of the municipality have been flooded, particularly low-lying areas towards the coast. Emergency crews have been carrying out rescues involving people trapped in ground-floor properties and other flooded locations. Military personnel are joining the wider emergency response as authorities attempt to reach vulnerable residents and deal with the consequences of the exceptional rainfall. 🏕️ AROUND 2,000 PEOPLE EVACUATED FROM SEVEN CAMPSITES One of the most significant developments has been the evacuation of approximately 2,000 people from seven campsites in the Oliva municipality. The figure was reported by Oliva's mayor, Yolanda Pastor, as flooding spread through the lower parts of the town. The mayor described the situation as extremely difficult and urged residents to remain indoors. Emergency accommodation has been made available in municipal buildings and sports facilities for people unable to remain in their accommodation. The evacuations underline the seriousness of the flooding in an area popular with Spanish residents, international visitors and long-term holidaymakers. 🚁 FIREFIGHTERS CARRY OUT FLOOD RESCUES Firefighters have been responding to emergencies across Oliva and neighbouring towns, including Piles and Miramar. Some rescue operations have required aerial assistance because floodwater has made certain areas difficult or dangerous to reach by road. Emergency crews are particularly concerned about ground-floor homes, low-lying streets, flooded underpasses and properties close to rivers and drainage channels. Residents are being urged not to attempt to cross floodwater, even where it appears shallow. 🌧️ MORE THAN 600 LITRES OF RAIN RECORDED The rainfall figures are extraordinary. According to weather observations reported by AVAMET and AEMET, some of the worst-affected locations have recorded totals exceeding 600 litres per square metre during the storm. Reported measurements include: 🌧️ Pego, Alicante — approximately 638.5 litres per square metre. 🌧️ Forna, Alicante — more than 600 litres per square metre, with one station reporting 651 litres by 6.30am. 🌧️ Villalonga, Valencia — more than 500 litres per square metre during the wider rainfall episode. These figures represent hundreds of millimetres of rainfall concentrated into a relatively short period. AEMET has indicated that the rainfall episode in parts of Marina Alta could be the most significant experienced in the area since November 1987. The enormous volume of water has overwhelmed drainage systems and caused dangerous rises in rivers and normally dry watercourses. 🚨 LEVEL 2 FLOOD EMERGENCY ACTIVATED The Valencian Government activated Level 2 of its flood emergency response early on Monday morning. This allows additional emergency resources, including national-level assistance, to support the response. An emergency coordination meeting was brought forward to 7am to assess the rapidly changing situation. The authorities have also issued ES-Alert messages to mobile phones in affected areas. Residents have been instructed to avoid unnecessary journeys, keep away from flood-prone areas and follow the directions of emergency personnel. People in properties threatened by rising water should avoid basements, underground garages and other low-lying areas. 🏕️ MORE THAN 100 PEOPLE SHELTERED AFTER XÀBIA CAMPSITE EVACUATION The flooding emergency has also affected Xàbia, on the Costa Blanca. More than 100 people have been accommodated in emergency shelter following the evacuation of Camping El Naranjal. The Red Cross has been helping to provide temporary accommodation and assistance. Firefighters, Civil Protection volunteers and Local Police have been deployed throughout the municipality. The flooding has affected roads, properties and campsite facilities, with some holidaymakers forced to leave their accommodation. 🚗 ROADS CLOSED BETWEEN GANDIA AND OLIVA The severe weather has also disrupted the road network. Reported closures include: 🚧 CV-670 between Gandia and Oliva. 🚧 CV-686 between Palma de Gandia and Real de Gandia. Other local roads may also be affected by floodwater, debris and rapidly changing conditions. Drivers should not assume a road is safe simply because the rain has eased. Road conditions can deteriorate quickly when rivers overflow or floodwater moves from higher ground towards coastal areas. ⚠️ AUTHORITIES URGE RESIDENTS TO STAY HOME Emergency services are asking residents in the worst-affected areas to avoid travelling unless absolutely necessary. If you are in an area affected by flooding: ⚠️ Stay indoors where it is safe to do so. ⚠️ Move to higher levels if floodwater threatens your property. ⚠️ Do not enter underground garages or basements. ⚠️ Never drive through flooded roads or underpasses. ⚠️ Keep away from rivers, streams and drainage channels. ⚠️ Follow official ES-Alert messages and emergency instructions. ☎️ Call 112 if you are in immediate danger. The situation remains serious, and further information about rescues, evacuations and road conditions is expected as emergency teams continue their work. 💬 ARE YOU IN ONE OF THE AFFECTED AREAS? Are you in Oliva, Gandia, Pego, Dénia, Xàbia or elsewhere along the Valencia and Costa Blanca coastline? Have you experienced flooding, road closures or emergency evacuations? Let us know what conditions are like in your area, but please do not put yourself at risk to take photographs or videos. Our thoughts are with everyone affected and with the emergency teams working through the flooding. Stay safe, everyone. #CostaNewsSpain #CNSNews #Valencia #CostaBlanca #Oliva #Gandia #Pego #Xabia #Denia #UME #SpanishMilitary #Flooding #DANAAdam #SpainWeather #BreakingNews