The Balearic Islands government has issued its highest-level weather warning, with up to 50mm of rain an hour forecast in Ibiza and Formentera. Schools will close on Monday after rainfall totals reached 123mm in Formentera and 121mm at Ibiza Airport.
The Balearic Islands government has raised the weather alert for heavy rain and thunderstorms to red across Ibiza, Formentera and Mallorca, ahead of a new spell of intense rainfall expected during the early hours of Monday, 19 October. Given the severity of the forecast, the regional government has suspended classes at all educational centres on the three islands. Day centres and occupational centres serving people with disabilities and those who require care and support will also remain closed.
The decision follows a day of flooding and numerous incidents caused by Storm Adam, with the Spanish State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) forecasting the arrival of a new weather front from mainland Spain shortly after midnight.
In Ibiza and Formentera, rainfall could reach 50mm per square metre in a single hour, with totals potentially climbing to 160mm over 12 hours. Such volumes could worsen the impact of Sunday’s downpours, particularly as the ground is already saturated and some infrastructure has sustained damage.
The Directorate-General for Emergencies and the Interior has activated red alert level, corresponding to Severity Index 2 (IG-2) under the Meteobal emergency plan, in Mallorca, Ibiza and Formentera. Operational Level 2 (SO-2) of the Balearic Islands’ Inunbal flood emergency plan also remains in force in Ibiza and Formentera, collectively known as the Pityusic Islands.
Schools suspended across Ibiza, Formentera and Mallorca
The main measure announced by the regional government is the suspension of all school activities throughout Monday, 19 October, across Ibiza, Formentera and Mallorca.
The decision applies to all three islands and reflects both the forecast of further intense rainfall and the consequences of Sunday’s flooding.
The regional government warns that the ground is saturated following the rainfall recorded in recent hours. This increases the risk of further flooding if the latest weather forecasts materialise.
The regional Ministry for Families, Social Welfare and Care has also announced the closure on Monday of day centres and occupational centres providing services to people with disabilities and those requiring care.
In Formentera, the island council had already announced the closure of the Sant Ferran and sa Miranda early-years centres, as well as the day centre, following the disruption caused by Sunday’s severe weather.
New weather front expected after midnight
According to Aemet forecasts communicated by emergency services, two convective systems are expected to affect the Balearic Islands during this episode.
After a relative lull around midday in Ibiza and Formentera, the rainfall began moving towards Mallorca during the afternoon. However, a new front from the Valencian Community on mainland Spain is expected to arrive around midnight, potentially bringing very heavy rain during the early hours of Monday and into the morning.
In Mallorca, forecasts point to rainfall totals of up to 90mm in one hour and 140mm over 12 hours.
In Ibiza and Formentera, the forecast hourly intensity is lower, but the accumulated rainfall could be even greater, reaching 160mm over 12 hours.
Menorca is under a yellow alert for rain and thunderstorms, with up to 20mm forecast in an hour. A yellow warning for coastal conditions also remains in place for Mallorca, Ibiza and Formentera.
123mm recorded in Formentera and 121mm at Ibiza Airport
The new alert follows a day of exceptionally heavy rainfall across Ibiza and Formentera.
According to figures released by emergency services, weather stations recorded the following rainfall totals over the previous 24 hours:
- Formentera: 123mm
- Ibiza Airport: 121mm
- Sant Joan de Labritja: 84mm
One of the most critical periods in Formentera came during the morning, when 97.1mm of rain fell in a single hour.
The downpours caused flooding at businesses, on roads and at public facilities. Among the affected sites was Formentera Hospital, where the operating theatre was partially flooded.
The Formentera Island Council recorded 56 weather-related incidents and announced that the Sant Ferran and sa Miranda early-years centres and the day centre would remain closed on Monday.
Military emergency teams deployed to Ibiza
With the prospect of further torrential rain, Spain’s Military Emergency Unit (UME) has been mobilised to reinforce emergency response operations across the islands.
According to the Balearic government, the first contingent departed mainland Spain by boat at 5pm on Sunday, with arrival in Ibiza expected between 7.30pm and 8pm. A second contingent was scheduled to leave by sea at 10pm, provided weather and maritime conditions allowed.
Additional support is also being considered for Formentera, where the island council has requested extra resources to deal with the consequences of the flooding.
The planned deployment to Formentera includes four UME personnel, a fire engine, a light vehicle and two electric water pumps. They will be joined by teams from the Directorate-General for Emergencies and the Interior, bringing three motor pumps and communications equipment.
Four Ibiza municipalities activate emergency plans
The situation has prompted four Ibiza municipalities to activate their local emergency plans: Ibiza Town, Sant Antoni de Portmany, Sant Josep de sa Talaia and Santa Eulària des Riu. Formentera has also activated its Municipal Emergency Plan (PEMU).
In Mallorca, emergency plans have been activated in Llucmajor, Andratx, Sant Llorenç des Cardassar and Porreres, in addition to the measures in place in Palma.
In the Mallorcan capital, the municipal territorial emergency plan, known as Platerpalma, includes the closure of parks and public spaces and the cancellation of activities. These measures came into force at 6pm on Sunday.
Torrents under control, but emergency services urge caution
Despite the disruption caused by the morning’s rainfall, emergency services report that infrastructure and transport links in Ibiza and Formentera are gradually returning to normal.
The regional government says no incidents have been reported involving water resources and that the torrents on both islands remain under control. Nevertheless, the forecast of further intense rainfall means monitoring and emergency response operations will remain active.
Emergency services are urging residents and visitors to exercise extreme caution overnight and during the early hours of Monday, avoid unnecessary journeys and never attempt to cross torrents or flooded areas, whether on foot or by vehicle.
People are also advised to stay away from basements and garages that could flood and to avoid parking vehicles in areas where water may accumulate.
If water enters a property, the authorities recommend moving to upper floors and staying away from lower levels.
The Balearic government stresses that a temporary break in the rain does not mean the storm is over. Residents and visitors are urged to follow official instructions and call 112 in an emergency.