Madrigueras recovers from severe flash flood in Albacete

The town of Madrigueras in Albacete, Spain, is recovering from a severe flash flood that occurred on Friday, which is being described as one of the worst in its recent history. The storm dropped approximately 142 liters per square meter in just four hours, causing streets to turn into channels of water and mud. The disaster resulted in the death of a 102-year-old woman and required the rescue of approximately 90 people.

The flooding was exacerbated by the town's geography; Madrigueras is built in a natural hollow that acts as a confluence for seasonal streams and branches of the Valdemembra river. This caused water from surrounding areas to channel directly into the urban center.

In response, the Diputación de Albacete is working to provide direct economic aid to the Madrigueras City Council to cover extraordinary expenses and infrastructure repairs that may not be covered by insurance. Provincial President Santi Cabañero stated that the institution aims to support the municipality in its reconstruction efforts and will advocate for further assistance from other administrative levels.