Storm Adam

Torrential Rainfall

Formentera, 19 October 2026

On Sunday 18 October, Formentera experienced one of its most severe weather events in recent years. The arrival of Storm Adam, an isolated high-altitude low-pressure system (DANA), brought exceptionally heavy rainfall that, within just a few hours, turned numerous parts of the island into raging torrents. The downpours caused widespread flooding in homes, businesses, roads and various public facilities.

The storm was particularly intense during the morning of 18 October, when huge amounts of rain fell in a very short period. In some parts of Formentera, rainfall totals approached 190 litres per square metre, while emergency services received dozens of calls reporting flooding and property damage.

One of the most dramatic scenes unfolded in La Mola, where approximately 160 litres of rain per square metre fell in just a few hours.

The events inevitably brought back memories of October 2025, when Storm Alice also caused severe flooding across Formentera. Just one year later, the island was once again facing extreme weather that affected farmland, homes, businesses and infrastructure, putting emergency response teams to the test once more.

Up to 190 Litres of Rain in Just a Few Hours

The arrival of Storm Adam had been forecast several days in advance, with weather warnings predicting heavy rainfall and potentially dangerous thunderstorms across the Balearic Islands.
During the early hours of Sunday, the sky remained completely overcast as heavy rain began falling across the southwestern half of Formentera. As the morning progressed, the storm spread to other parts of the island, reaching particularly extreme intensity in the La Mola area.
Rainfall measurements revealed the scale of the storm. The Balears Méteo weather station in La Savina recorded more than 100 litres per square metre, while Sant Francesc registered 182 litres. In certain parts of La Mola, rainfall totals even approached 200 litres per square metre.

The severity of the situation prompted authorities to activate the ES-Alert emergency warning system twice in quick succession, sending alerts directly to residents’ mobile phones. The sheer speed at which the rain fell overwhelmed natural drainage systems, causing significant flooding in built-up areas, agricultural land and rural tracks.

Dry Streambeds Turned into Waterfalls

One of the most extraordinary sights during Storm Adam occurred in La Mola, where 160 litres of rain per square metre fell within just a few hours.
This exceptional volume of water quickly saturated the ground, sending torrents of runoff along the area’s numerous tracks and into its natural drainage channels. Streambeds that had remained dry for years suddenly became powerful, fast-flowing torrents rushing towards the coast.

The scenes were particularly striking along the cliffs, where water accumulating inland found its natural outlet into the Mediterranean Sea. However, behind these spectacular images lay considerable damage. The force of the rushing water swept away rocks, soil and other debris, while numerous rural tracks were damaged, leaving some sections virtually impassable.

The Church of El Pilar Flooded

Among the most remarkable incidents caused by the storm was the flooding of the Church of El Pilar in La Mola. Floodwater entered the church, reaching a depth of more than 20 centimetres in some areas — an extraordinary occurrence for one of the village’s most iconic buildings.
The significance of this incident went beyond the damage caused and the subsequent clean-up efforts. It was also remarkable from a historical perspective.

There had been no recorded flooding of this magnitude at the church since 1985, when a severe storm brought nearly 300 litres of rain per square metre over two consecutive days.
More than four decades later, Storm Adam once again sent floodwater pouring into the church, making it one of the most memorable incidents of the day.
The flooding of the church also highlighted the extraordinary amount of rain that fell across La Mola during the most intense hours of the storm.

Homes, Businesses and Farmland Flooded

The effects of the storm were felt across virtually the whole of Formentera. Emergency services recorded around 60 incidents requiring assistance or coordination through the 112 emergency hotline.
Numerous private homes were flooded, both in rural areas and on the ground floors of buildings in the island’s main towns and villages. In some properties, floodwater reached depths of 30 centimetres, forcing residents to pump out water and begin extensive clean-up work.

Local businesses were not spared either. Several commercial premises suffered flooding that damaged their facilities, while in the countryside, agricultural land was left waterlogged and traditional dry-stone walls, such a distinctive feature of Formentera’s rural landscape, collapsed.
The situation was particularly reminiscent of October 2025, when Storm Alice struck, bringing another episode of torrential rainfall that flooded fields, homes and commercial premises.

Formentera Hospital and the Elderly Care Home

The impact of the storm was not limited to private homes and businesses. Some of the island’s essential facilities also experienced serious flooding. Among the buildings affected were Formentera Hospital and the Des Brolls elderly care home, where several areas suffered significant water damage.

Meanwhile, residents of Can Simonet, in the Migjorn area, were left without electricity for much of Sunday. Power was not restored until approximately 8 pm. Despite the severity of the flooding and the large number of incidents reported, no injuries or casualties were reported, an especially welcome outcome given the intensity of the storm.

Schools Closed and Public Facilities Shut Down

The emergency situation and the weather forecasts issued throughout Sunday prompted authorities to introduce precautionary measures for Monday 19 October.
The Balearic Government maintained a red weather warning for heavy rain and thunderstorms in Formentera, while Operational Level 2 of the INUNBAL Flood Emergency Plan remained in force.

As a result, authorities announced the suspension of in-person classes at all educational establishments in Formentera, including nurseries, primary schools and the island’s secondary school. Officials urged residents to limit unnecessary travel and exercise extreme caution, particularly on roads and rural tracks damaged by floodwater.

Formentera Remains Under a Yellow Weather Warning

Although the worst of the storm now appears to be over, weather conditions still require close attention.
At the time of writing, Formentera remains under a yellow weather warning. While everything suggests that the worst of Storm Adam has passed, residents are still advised to keep a close eye on the weather.

Storm Adam has left Formentera with a day that will be difficult to forget, marked by extraordinary rainfall, widespread flooding and dramatic scenes such as waterfalls cascading down several of the island’s cliffs and the historic flooding of the Church of El Pilar in La Mola.
For the second October in a row, following Storm Alice in 2025, the island has once again suffered the consequences of torrential rainfall, leaving significant property damage but, fortunately, no reported injuries or loss of life.