A 102-year-old woman has died after devastating flash floods swept through Madrigueras in Albacete, forcing emergency workers to rescue 90 people.
The elderly victim died after floodwater rose to more than one metre inside her home during Friday’s torrential downpour.
Up to 142 litres of rain per square metre fell over the area, turning streets into raging rivers, carrying away cars and flooding homes, basements and garages.
Authorities activated the METEOCAM severe-weather plan at operational situation level one as emergency calls poured in from frightened residents who did not know how to respond.
Emergency teams carried out approximately 90 rescues as water surged through the town.
Some residents became stranded inside properties or in public areas as floodwater rose rapidly.
The Guardia Civil had initially reported no injuries or missing people before the death of the 102-year-old woman was confirmed.
More than 100 calls were made to the Castilla-La Mancha 112 emergency service during the height of the storm.
An ES-Alert warning was also sent to mobile phones across the area between Madrigueras, Casas Ibañez and Motilla del Palancar.
Emergency services have now begun scaling down rescue operations and moving into the clean-up phase.
Teams are clearing affected streets and removing vehicles that were swept away, damaged or piled together by the force of the water.
The response has involved the Guardia Civil, firefighters from the Albacete provincial service, Civil Protection, the Red Cross and local and regional authorities.
The CM-316 and AB-105 roads have reopened after previously being closed at their approaches to Madrigueras.
However, the CM-3222 remains closed at kilometre five while authorities assess the damage and continue recovery work.
A violent cloudburst struck the town in Albacete province at around 6pm on Friday, sending torrents of water through its lower-lying neighbourhoods.
Floodwater reached approximately half a metre in places, dragging away vehicles and inundating garages, basements and ground-floor properties.
One person became trapped in a tree and another sought refuge on top of a fountain as the water surged through the town.
