Extreme weather phenomena have become more common in the world as a result of climate change.
An exceptionally strong storm caused destruction in northern Spain on Thursday. The stormy weather that swept over Aragon and the Basque Country caused hailstorms, heavy rains and flash floods in the towns and villages of the region.
The biggest damage was in the cities of Zaragoza and Vitoria-Gasteiz, where vehicles, homes and businesses were left under floodwaters. In Zaragoza, the rains caused the streets of the city to flood in just ten minutes.
Vitoria-Gasteiz was also hit by an unprecedented hailstorm, during which hail the size of golf balls turned the city’s streets white. Several people were injured during the hailstorm. It is believed that repairing the damages caused by the floods will reach up to millions of euros.
Spanish English language news site of The Local in certain areas, up to 56 liters per square meter fell in less than an hour.
Several people who got into trouble had to be rescued from the middle of the floods, but so far the floods have not claimed any lives. A video circulating on social media shows how a woman stuck in the middle of the floods in Zaragoza climbs onto the roof of her car to wait for rescue personnel to arrive.