The Pitiüses Islands are bearing the brunt of Storm Adam in the Balearic Islands. Ibiza and Formentera have seen the majority of incidents recorded since last night; chaos at the airport, power outages, and blocked roads are a clear indication of the disruption caused by the storm. The Es Codolar airport had to cancel and divert dozens of flights on Sunday due to flooding, while the Hospital of Formentera has also been significantly affected, as it has had to suspend scheduled surgical procedures due to damage caused by Monday’s rain, although it will continue to provide emergency care.
The airport road was reopened around noon, according to the Council of Ibiza. However, there are still large pools of water at the roundabouts of Jesús and at the entrances to Ibiza City. Additionally, a warning remains in effect for the risk of landslides on roads in the north of the island. Meanwhile, the nearly 400 Endesa customers in Formentera who experienced a power outage due to the storms have had their electricity restored, according to the company. The 185 customers in Ibiza affected by the same issues remain without power, and Endesa is working to restore service as soon as possible.
This Monday began with active rain and storm warnings in the Balearic Islands, although at orange and yellow alert levels, while all school activities remain suspended. The 112 Emergency Coordination Center registered a total of 130 incidents over the weekend. According to information provided at midday, the weather situation will remain unstable over the next few hours in Ibiza, Formentera, and Mallorca. As of this writing, heavy to very heavy downpours and storms are being recorded in the Channel of Mallorca, affecting the south and west of the island.
The Military Emergency Unit (UME) has been carrying out water pumping operations in garages in Ibiza, after mobilizing units from its third battalion at the Valencia base to embark for Ibiza and Mallorca.
Extreme caution
Aemet has reported that a strong thunderstorm with lightning struck southeastern Mallorca early this morning. The municipality of Calvià has been the most affected so far. The orange warning for rain and storms on the island will remain in effect until 2:00 PM, while the yellow warning remains in effect for the rest of the archipelago. Additionally, the rain has caused significant disruptions to public transportation in Mallorca, with several interurban TIB lines affected. These have been suspended until further notice due to the danger they pose to road safety. Specifically, this affects the Palma–Port d’Andratx (101), Palma–Peguera (102), and Esporles–Estellencs (202) routes.
For its part, the Sant Josep Town Hall has announced that it is keeping the Municipal Emergency Plan (PEMU) in effect after activating it on Sunday in response to the red alert. Among other measures, the airport road remains closed to traffic between kilometers 3 and 5.5 in both directions, as are Calle des Vedrà and Calle des Vedranell in Es Cubells.
The City Council has also reiterated that in-person attendance by municipal staff is suspended, except for essential and emergency services. All scheduled cultural and sports activities have also been canceled. The tourist information offices and the three libraries, as well as the sports facilities, remain closed.
In fact, residents of Ibiza and Formentera received a message from ES-Alert on Monday urging them to exercise the utmost caution due to heavy rains and the risk of torrents overflowing their banks. The 112 message warns of the importance of staying away from ravines, waterways, and flood-prone areas, and of avoiding low-lying areas and underground passages. They also advise moving to upper floors if water begins to enter. As for Formentera, 112 reminds residents that the PM-820 road is closed to traffic and recommends staying away from mountain streams and flood-prone areas, among other tips.
For her part, the President of the Regional Government, Marga Prohens, has asked residents to follow the instructions issued by emergency services and has recommended “the utmost caution” and for people to avoid non-essential travel. It should be noted that this is the second message of this kind received by residents of the Pitiüses Islands, following the alert issued this Sunday at 11:20 a.m. about the imminent risk of flooding. An ES-Alert was also sent in Mallorca this Sunday at 7:00 p.m. in response to the heavy rains forecast. Additionally, the president thanked the UME for its “swift response, availability, and commitment” in the face of the storm’s effects, “an effort that demonstrates the importance of coordination and collaboration between institutions to provide an agile response to the citizens of the Balearic Islands.”
Meanwhile, the director of the 112 Emergency Coordination Center, Eduardo Parga, told the media that the night had been “marked by great uncertainty” and that, in the end, the expected weather front had skirted Mallorca and headed for Menorca. Consequently, 112 has raised the alert level to severity level 1 (IG1) for rain and storms in Menorca and is monitoring the situation there and in the Pitiüses Islands. “Civil Protection alerts remain active,” Parga emphasized, urging the public not to let their guard down.
