A severe storm pummeled Ibiza on 30 September, provoking the Ibiza airport flooding crisis and forcing flight diversions, major delays, and emergency responses. Residents and travellers faced disruptions as weather systems battered the island.

Storm Hits Ibiza Hard

Torrential Rainfall and Alarms

Meteorological agencies elevated the warning to red for Ibiza and Formentera following intense downpours. In just 12 hours, the area near the airport recorded over 100 litres per square metre, with wider regions reaching even higher totals. On the ground, heavy rain turned roads into rivers and overwhelmed drainage systems.
Authorities sent out ES-Alert warnings to residents, urging them to avoid low areas, basements, and riverbeds.

Infrastructure and Airport Under Siege

The deluge exposed vulnerabilities: the airport terminal suffered leaks and flooding inside, with water visibly dripping into crucial zones like security and check-in.
Runways and taxiways faced reduced visibility and soggy surfaces, forcing air traffic management to slow operations. Some flights had to be diverted to alternative airports.

Impact On Flights and Passengers

Delays, Diversions, Disruptions

Every flight scheduled at Ibiza showed delays, many averaging 30 minutes, but some delays extended beyond three hours.
The Ibiza airport flooding crisis directly forced certain inbound flights to be rerouted to nearby islands or mainland airports.
Arrivals slowed down amid poor visibility and saturated tarmac surfaces.

Other Affected Services

Beyond aviation, ground transport and schools suffered. The local bus network was suspended in parts of the island.
One school in Sant Antoni closed after flooding damaged its lower levels and threatened electrical systems.
Emergency services handled dozens of calls for water removal, trapped vehicles, structural leaks, and minor collapses.
Two people suffered serious injuries after falls on slick streets.

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Response and Recovery Steps

Mobilising Emergency Forces

The regional government activated contingency plans. The UME (Unidad Militar de Emergencias) deployed reinforcements.
Firefighters and civil defence teams worked nonstop on flood control, pump-outs, and assisting trapped individuals.
Municipal staff closed vulnerable roads (such as the E-10 ring road) and blocked passages likely to flood.

Ongoing Risks and Precautions

The red alert remains in place through mid-afternoon. Authorities warned citizens to avoid unnecessary travel and stay clear of rivers or low-lying terrain.
Damage assessments are underway for homes, roads, drainage systems, and utilities. Engineers will evaluate structural safety before reopening closed buildings or restoring full services.

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Outlook & What To Watch

• The recovery may stretch over several days, depending on further rainfall and damage extent.
• Airline schedules might remain volatile; travellers should check with carriers for updates.
• Infrastructure repairs, especially drainage and runway restoration, will be priorities to prevent repeat crises.
• Local authorities may reconsider flood mitigation and early warning systems in light of this event.

Despite ongoing challenges, crews are working round the clock to stabilise the situation. The Ibiza airport flooding crisis now stands as a stark reminder of how rapidly extreme weather can disrupt critical systems.