Spain faces deadly flooding disaster as Mediterranean storms intensify

Torrential rains in Spain have caused the deadliest flooding in decades, killing at least 205 people, with entire villages swept away by rising waters and severe storms.

Ashifa Kassam and Faisal Ali report for The Guardian.


In short:

  • At least 205 people died as storms in Spain brought record rains, turning streets into rivers and destroying homes, bridges and railways, particularly in the Valencia region.
  • Known as "gota fría," the severe weather system forms when cold air meets the warm Mediterranean, producing heavy rain and increasing instability that led to flooding and hailstorms.
  • The flood alert system faced criticism for delays, with warnings issued too late for many residents who were already trapped by rising floodwaters.

Key quote:

“No doubt about it, these explosive downpours were intensified by climate change.”

— Dr. Friederike Otto, leader of world weather attribution, Imperial College London

Why this matters:

As Mediterranean waters warm, storms like these may grow stronger, increasing the risk of devastating floods across Europe. With delayed alerts and rising temperatures, emergency response systems must adapt to protect communities more effectively from climate-driven weather extremes.

Read more: Spain's devastating floods reveal gaps in regional preparedness

A gas pipeline stretching across a desert landscape

With promises of money, controversial gas pipeline on Navajo Nation passes first hurdle

A 234-mile stretch of pipeline that could carry natural gas or natural gas-hydrogen blends across the Navajo Nation is a step closer to reality.

A computer keyboard with a green button called Greenwashing

Revealed: British ad giant’s billion-dollar greenwash of U.S. oil industry

A British advertising conglomerate has helped oil companies ExxonMobil, Chevron, Shell, and BP spend an estimated $1 billion on ads in the United States since the 2015 Paris Agreement.

An illustration with a tower of blue oil drums with the word OPEC on it

What could the UAE’s exit from OPEC mean for oil markets and the climate?

The United Arab Emirates’ planned departure from OPEC may allow it to significantly increase oil production, potentially driving up global emissions.

A row of oil and gas pump jacks against a sunset

Congress once shielded gun makers. Now it’s fossil fuel companies’ turn

Republican lawmakers have introduced a bill that would block current and future lawsuits seeking to hold fossil fuel companies accountable for climate damages.

The home page of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission

The SEC tried to silence activist investors. Now they're fighting back

After SEC limited EDGAR access, activists launched Proxy Open Exchange to share corporate accountability concerns, including climate issues.

Attendees at the 21st session of the UN Conference on Climate Change
Credit: palinchak/BigStock Photo ID: 110010617

Takeaways from the first conference focused on transitioning away from fossil fuels

Countries have wrapped up a first-of-its-kind summit in Colombia on phasing out fossil fuels with no binding commitments but a growing momentum to shift from pledges to action.
Sick African American man coughing holding paper napkin near mouth suffering from respiratory ailment
Credit: Prostock-studio/BigStock Photo ID: 400400966

In U.S. coal country, black lung surges as federal protections stall

While President Trump is directing hundreds of millions of dollars to coal projects, miners in Appalachia are suffering from a resurgence of black lung disease. But industry pushback has indefinitely delayed federal rules that would reduce miners’ exposure to deadly silica dust. 
From our Newsroom
Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro speaks with the state flag and American flag behind him.

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

silhouette of people holding hands by a lake at sunset

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

wildfire retardants being sprayed by plane

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.

Stay informed: sign up for The Daily Climate newsletter
Top news on climate impacts, solutions, politics, drivers. Delivered to your inbox week days.