Ibiza is in chaos after heavy rain since early Tuesday morning forced the weather alert to be raised from orange to red due to extreme risk of torrential downpours. Access to Ibiza town has been completely cut off from both Santa Eulària and Sant Antoni.
The town itself is gridlocked, with streets and neighbourhoods submerged. On Avenida Santa Eulària, it was at times impossible to distinguish the road from the sea, creating dangerous situations, including cars nearly being swept into the water. Ferries from Formentera have been unable to dock. Other key areas, including Vuit d’Agost and the roundabout known locally as “the Podencos”, have cars stranded on pavements amid severe flooding.
Drivers have been caught out by the sudden downpours, with several requiring emergency rescue. One driver was trapped in the fully flooded tunnel at Es Puig d’en Valls, and the airport tunnel is also closed. Ibiza Fire Brigade has carried out around fifteen rescues, while companies such as Grúas Ibiza have provided road assistance around a hundred times.
Sergeant José Antonio López of the Ibiza Fire Brigade told IB3 Televisión that officers have responded to approximately fifty flood-related incidents on the island.
Families are being urged not to go to schools or secondary schools to collect their children, as authorities advise avoiding all non-essential travel.
The Government’s Emergency Committee is currently meeting to assess the situation and decide on further measures.