Flash floods in Javea and Denia

The Valencian Community - typically hot, sunny and dry at this time of year - has seen torrential rain over the past few hours, with a total of 105.2 litres per square metre falling in the popular holiday spot of Javea (Alicante). Almost 60 litres fell in just one hour.

The sudden heavy downpour has caused numerous problems in Javea, as well as in neighbouring Denia, where flooded streets brought traffic to a standstill and  parts of buildings were dislodged by the extreme weather, requiring intervention by firefighters and local police officers.

Amongst others, firefighters have had to rescue three people who had become trapped in their vehicle in a stream swollen by the flash flood.

The fire service has been called to about 20 separate incidents already, from floods in Javea's Cap Martí-Tosalet urbanisation to debris in a river next to the La Sella Golf urbanisation in Pedreguer.

The State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) activated an amber warning for rain and storms all along the coast of Valencia and the northern part of the coast of Alicante.

The emergency services have reported a "let-up" in the rain along the coast of the Marina Alta, although "some light showers" were still around, and have asked citizens to act with "prudence".