Ibiza and Mallorca: Hurricane brings devastating floods!

Ibiza and Mallorca: Hurricane brings devastating floods!

On October 4, 2025, the Balearic Islands will be affected by extreme storms caused by ex-Hurricane Gabrielle. Ibiza in particular is seeing its worst flooding in 50 years. Loud Mercury Up to 300 liters of rain fell per square meter in some areas, with 236 liters being measured in just 12 hours in Ibiza Town. This led to dramatic scenarios when the mountain slide in the Puig de Molins area hit two hotels.

Firefighters responded several times to rescue people from flooded upper floors, while 220 tourists had to be evacuated. The mayor of Ibiza reported three people slightly injured and two seriously injured, which illustrates the extent of the forces of nature. The island's infrastructure is severely damaged, with frequent power outages and chaotic situations at the airport. Many flights have been diverted or delayed - the tunnel access to the airport is closed and parts of the building are inaccessible due to water intrusion.

Let's look at the situation in Mallorca and the surrounding regions. Heavy thunderstorms, rain and hail are also recorded there. AEMET, the Spanish weather service, has increased the weather alert for several areas and activated an emergency plan in Palma. The Paseo Marítimo waterfront promenade was closed from Monday evening to Tuesday afternoon. Inca and Selva are heavily flooded, the streets turned into streams-like. “We had experienced more than a dozen operations in Selva by the afternoon,” says a firefighter, who describes the emergency situation on site in detail.

The neighboring islands to the east and Valencia are also affected. The highest red alert level was declared in Valencia; Schools, universities and many public institutions are closed. A major challenge for the emergency services, because the acute risk of flooding is forcing many people to stay at home. The roads are often impassable due to flooding and local public transport has partially come to a standstill. The Spanish weather service AEMET warns that the situation could potentially worsen further.

Scientists warn that extreme weather events will become more common in the future due to climate change. A study shows that rainfall increases by seven percent, giving extreme weather a new dimension. These changes are not only a challenge for the Balearic region, but also for other areas of Europe, according to an analysis by daily news shows. It is an issue that affects everyone and can only be addressed together to reduce the consequences of climate change.

The current situation in Ibiza and Mallorca not only illustrates the urgency of confronting climate change, but also the need for well-thought-out crisis management in the event of such natural events. The authorities are calling on citizens and tourists to be careful: “Avoid unnecessary time outdoors and travel,” it is advised. The combination of weather extremes and the infrastructure challenges we have already experienced raises questions that absolutely need to be addressed in the coming days and weeks.