While Brits have been lounging in parks and soaking up the latest summer heatwave, Spain has been facing a totally different kind of weather drama — one that’s turning dreamy holidays into full-blown disasters.
Torrential floods and violent thunderstorms have taken over some of Spain’s most beloved tourist spots, and it’s causing major headaches for both locals and holidaymakers.
Holiday Hotspots Transformed by Raging Floodwaters
Instead of sun-soaked strolls and tapas by the beach, visitors in many Spanish cities are now wading through murky, fast-moving floodwaters.
Social media has been flooded (no pun intended) with clips showing popular streets underwater — with dirty water rushing past shopfronts and restaurants like a scene out of a disaster film.
One especially shocking video shows cars being dragged along the El Cardener river like toys, while others are completely swallowed up by thick mud and scattered debris.
It’s a stark contrast to what tourists were expecting when they booked their sunshine getaways.
Spain on High Alert as Weather Warnings Spread
Half of Spain’s 50 provinces are now under official weather alerts issued by the national weather agency AEMET.
The warnings follow a stretch of days marked by erratic, dangerous conditions.
Among the worst-hit areas are Barcelona, Girona, Lleida, Tarragona, Huesca, Zaragoza, Teruel, and Castellon — all places popular with British holidaymakers.
In Tarazona, a picturesque town in the Zaragoza province, the situation became especially severe on Friday.
More than 100mm of rain fell in just an hour, flooding streets, disrupting transport, and causing significant property damage.
Army Deployed as Rain Continues to Pound the Region
Things got so intense that Spain’s Military Emergency Unit (UME) had to be called in.
These are the same folks responsible for disaster response during national emergencies, so their presence alone tells you how serious this is.
In Aragon and Catalonia, rainfall of up to 50 litres per square metre was forecast, raising alarms for more flooding and the potential for rivers and ravines to overflow.
Meteocat, Catalonia’s regional weather service, raised its warning level to the highest possible — levels five and six — which replaced earlier orange and yellow alerts.
Meanwhile, the UK Is Sizzling
Back in the UK, it’s an entirely different story. The Met Office reported temperatures soaring to 33°C in parts of England, with one of the hottest spots being Astwood Bank near Worcester, hitting nearly 34.7°C on Friday.
It’s all thanks to a sweltering “heat dome” over Europe — a high-pressure weather system trapping hot air and pushing temperatures to extremes.
What This Means for British Tourists in Spain
For the many Brits who travelled to Spain hoping to escape the usual grey skies, the irony couldn’t be stronger.
Instead of sunshine, they’re now dealing with hotel evacuations, ruined plans, and travel delays.
Roads are blocked, trains are affected, and some areas are struggling with power and water issues.
If you’re on holiday in Spain right now, or about to fly out, it’s worth double-checking with your travel provider and staying up to date with local alerts.
Has your trip been hit by the flooding? Share your experience by emailing: katherine.lawton@mailonline.co.uk