Storm Harry batters Catalonia, Valencia and the Balearic Islands

Storm Harry has hammered Spain’s Mediterranean coast with torrential rain, huge waves and gale-force winds, leaving flooding, damage and travel disruption across Catalonia, Valencia and the Balearic Islands. For residents, property owners and visitors, the storm has been a sharp reminder of how quickly winter weather can turn dangerous along Spain’s normally sunny shoreline.

When and where Storm Harry hit

Harry began to affect Spain around 17 January, rapidly intensifying as it moved across the western Mediterranean and into the Balearics and eastern mainland. Weather agency alerts focused on Catalonia, the Valencia Region and the islands, as well as parts of Murcia and eastern Andalucía, where forecasters warned of intense rain, strong winds and powerful coastal surges.

Along the Catalan and Valencian coasts and in the Balearic Islands, authorities issued orange and even red warnings for heavy rain and coastal phenomena, with some Mediterranean areas seeing waves in the eight to ten metre range. Inland, mountain and pre-Pyrenean zones faced a mix of heavy downpours, snowfall at higher elevations and strong gusts capable of bringing down trees and power lines.

Flooding, rivers bursting banks and coastal damage

In Catalonia, Storm Harry pushed already swollen rivers over their banks, with dramatic scenes of brown water spreading across fields, roads and low-lying neighbourhoods. Video from Girona province showed rivers bursting their banks, submerged cars and emergency crews working to rescue people from flooded streets as the rain kept falling.

Low-lying areas near river mouths and coastal urbanisations were particularly exposed, as heavy rain inland coincided with storm-driven waves crashing into beaches and promenades. Sea walls, beach bars and seafront infrastructure in parts of the Costa Brava, Costa del Maresme and Costa del Azahar suffered damage, and some beaches lost large volumes of sand in just a few tide cycles.

Balearics and Valencia: ports, ferries and flights disrupted

In the Balearic Islands, Storm Harry brought rough seas, strong gusts and periods of intense rain that disrupted both sea and air connections. Port authorities temporarily suspended or limited ferry services on certain routes when waves grew too high, while some flights faced delays and diversions as crosswinds made approaches more complicated.

Along the Valencian coast, including popular areas such as the Costa Blanca and Costa del Azahar, high waves and coastal flooding forced the closure of some promenades and seaside roads. Local councils deployed diggers and cleaning crews to remove seaweed, debris and sand from streets and public spaces once the worst of the storm had passed, but warned that more unstable weather could follow.

Impact on property owners and expats

For homeowners and expats along Spain’s Mediterranean coast, Harry has highlighted the importance of checking how well properties are prepared for intense rain and wind. Blocked drains, poorly sealed terraces and garages built at street level have been common weak points, with water entering where maintenance has been delayed or earlier minor issues were ignored.

The storm is also a reminder to review insurance cover, especially for second homes and rental properties. Many owners assume standard building and contents policies will automatically cover flood and storm damage, but in Spain the Consorcio de Compensación de Seguros plays a key role when officially recognised catastrophic events occur, and policyholders must be up to date with premiums for that protection to apply.

Travel disruption and safety tips for visitors

Storm Harry has caused delays and cancellations across various transport modes, particularly ferries in the Balearics and coastal areas, as well as localised issues on roads and rail. Travellers have been advised to monitor airline, ferry and train updates closely during severe weather alerts, and to build in extra time or flexibility for journeys along exposed coastal routes.

Visitors and residents alike are being urged to stay away from seawalls, breakwaters and exposed cliffs when waves are high, even after the heaviest rain has passed. Many of the most serious coastal accidents in Spain happen when people venture too close to rough seas for photos or videos, underestimating the force of individual waves sweeping over rocks and promenades.

What residents should do after Storm Harry

As conditions slowly improve, local authorities are asking residents to check gutters, drains and downpipes for blockages that could cause problems during the next period of heavy rain. Simple steps, such as clearing leaves from terrace drains and making sure garage doors and basement access points are properly sealed, can significantly reduce the risk of repeat flooding.

Property owners who have suffered damage are being encouraged to document everything with photos and videos before beginning repairs, and to contact their insurers promptly. With the ground still saturated in many areas and more unsettled weather forecast for the coming days, careful preparation now can help limit the impact of the next Atlantic or Mediterranean system that targets Spain’s eastern coastline.