Storm Adam floods eastern Spain, UK braces for Storm Austen
Deadly flooding in Spain
Storm Adam unleashed torrential rain on eastern Spain earlier this week, with some areas receiving more than half a metre of water in a single day. Pego, in Alicante, recorded 632mm of rain in 36 hours, and 430mm of that fell in just six hours. Olivia, in Valencia, saw 600mm in 24 hours.
The deluge forced temporary lockdowns in 145 municipalities across Valencia and Alicante, affecting about 850,000 people on Monday. At least five people died, and emergency services rescued 500 and evacuated 2,100. The Balearic Islands were also hit: more than 130 incidents were recorded in Ibiza, where standing water at the airport caused flights to be diverted or suspended. The worst of Storm Adam has passed, and conditions are improving across Valencia and Alicante, though local disruption is expected to continue.
UK and Ireland face back-to-back storms
Storm Austen, the first named storm of winter for the UK, is tracking through the Channel and bringing damaging winds to south-west England, Wales, south-west Ireland and northern France. Gusts are expected around 50-60mph, but exposed north-western coasts of France could see winds up to 80-90mph. But another deep low-pressure system, Storm Boelo, is following close behind. It’s expected to track across northern Scotland Saturday into Sunday, bringing very unsettled conditions to much of the UK and Ireland. Western Scotland will see the strongest gusts, while the rest of the UK and Ireland can expect 40-55mph winds. Western parts of Ireland could get 50-60mph, and exposed areas of north-west Ireland may see up to 70-80mph, similar to western Scotland. Storm Boelo will also bring heavy rain: 10-20mm generally, but as much as 30-60mm in western parts of Ireland, Wales and south-west England. That rain, on top of what Storm Austen drops, will increase the risk of flooding.
Typhoon Champi targets Asia
Meanwhile, Super Typhoon Champi is heading towards China and Japan after passing north-eastern Taiwan on Friday. It has weakened since Wednesday but remains a significant typhoon, equivalent in strength to a category 5 hurricane, with sustained winds of 121mph and gusts up to 185mph. Up to 900mm of rain is forecast in mountainous regions of northern and eastern Taiwan from Tuesday to Saturday. Taiwan has already seen school closures, cancelled flights and six-metre waves, and damage is expected over the next few days.
