Floods in Ibiza and Mallorca and severe storms in Menorca

PalmThe first wave of rainfall and storms has already passed through the Balearic Islands, affecting Mallorca and Menorca the most. As can be seen in the video published by the Balearic Islands Meteorological Service, the streets of Son Ferriol have flooded, causing street furniture to be swept away.

According to preliminary data, rainfall in both Mallorca and Menorca has accumulated between 20 and 40 l/m² in just over an hour. In some places, the rain has been of remarkable intensity, accompanied by lightning, thunder, and wind, leaving surprising and worrying images. In fact, strong gusts of wind have caused a balcony to collapse in the municipality of Calvià.

Hours later, rain and storms reached Ibiza, specifically the northeast of the island. The rain and strong gusts of wind have arrived with great force, and the first flooding has already occurred in some areas. In response to this situation, the Ibiza Council has issued a new statement urging residents to exercise caution and recommending various safety measures to prevent water from entering homes.

According to Pablo Gárriz, Director General of Emergencies for the Balearic Islands, the storms that hit the archipelago on Tuesday have a "high electrical charge." Specifically, he explained, it is estimated that more than 3,000 lightning strikes fell during that day, but that the vast majority "fell into the sea." In this sense, he explained that the extreme drought experienced in the Balearic Islands increases the risk of forest fires due to a lightning strike. "The Balearic countryside and forest areas are very dry, and the rain we have seen is not enough to protect them from lightning," explained Gárriz.

In fact, due to the storms and strong gusts of wind, the 112 Balearic Islands Emergency Service has handled 80 incidents in Mallorca. The most affected municipalities have been Palma (41), Calvià (18), Algaida (4), Andratx (4), Manacor (2), Llucmajor (2), Marratxí (3) and, to a lesser extent, Deià, Escorca, Puigpunyent, Sant Joan, ses Salines and Santa Maria. Emergencies has detailed that the majority of warnings and incidents have been related to flooding of low-lying areas and public roads, fallen trees and risky landslides.

Regarding the number of incidents reported in the first few hours, the Director General of Emergencies for the Archipelago explained that there were "few, which is typical," and stated that this was primarily due to two factors: "The storms arriving in the early morning when there were fewer people on the streets, and the improved culture."

Further rainfall is expected on Tuesday, again most likely in Mallorca and Menorca, with Ibiza and Formentera also not ruled out. The State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) reported, via a tweet on the social network X, that following the storms this morning, instability continues in the Balearic Islands. Heavy showers and storms are expected, locally very strong or torrential, with a potential disaster not ruled out.

It's important to remember that the General Directorate of Emergencies and the Interior has activated the orange alert for the Special Plan for Adverse Meteorological Events (Meteobal). In light of this, the Emergency Department recommended that the public exercise extreme caution, remain alert to official information, and follow the instructions of Civil Protection.

Basic advice includes securing doors and windows, avoiding basements and garages, removing objects from outside that could be swept away by water, and turning off the electricity if water enters the home. Outside, it's advisable to stay away from torrents and floodplains, seek shelter in buildings, and avoid walking through moving water. On the road, it's recommended to avoid unnecessary travel, drive cautiously on main roads, and never drive through flooded areas.