Around 2,000 people have been evacuated from campsites in Oliva, Valencia province, after torrential rain flooded parts of the town and sparked helicopter rescue operations. Mayor Yolanda Pastor said seven campsites in the area had been evacuated as Storm Adam brought exceptionally heavy rainfall to the La Safor area on Monday, October 19.
Floodwater has inundated lower parts of Oliva towards the beach, leaving emergency crews facing a difficult rescue operation. Spain’s Military Emergency Unit (UME) has also been deployed to help local emergency services deal with the flooding.
Families forced to leave as muddy floodwater rises
People were moved from the campsites as conditions deteriorated overnight. The evacuations came as torrential rain overwhelmed parts of the area, with the authorities warning that conditions could become dangerous very quickly.
Oliva, a coastal town popular with visitors, has been particularly badly affected. Flooding in its lower-lying areas has left streets underwater, while emergency crews have been responding to calls for help from people caught by rising water. Pastor described the situation as extremely difficult and urged residents to exercise maximum caution and stay at home.
En la playa de Oliva la @UMEgob y la @guardiacivil están trabajando a pleno rendimiento para rescatar y ayudar a los vecinos que están aislados en sus casas.
Es difícil que la gente tenga paciencia pero llegaran a todos
Mucho ánimo y trellat!! https://t.co/PMgm50tzfY— Inma Sánchez (@kayaya19) October 19, 2026
Helicopters and military called in
Emergency services requested helicopter support from the Valencia Provincial Firefighters Consortium to help with rescues in Oliva. Units from the UME’s Third Intervention Battalion also left their base in Betera, near Valencia city, to assist firefighters and other emergency personnel. The military unit specialises in responding to major emergencies, including floods, wildfires and other disasters.
Valencia’s regional authorities activated level two of the emergency plan and brought forward a meeting of the regional emergency coordination body to assess the situation. Rainfall totals have been extraordinary. According to Spain’s State Meteorological Agency, AEMET, 131.9 litres of rain per square metre fell in just one hour at Oliva beach during the morning.
Dangerous conditions across Valencia and Alicante
Spain: The Valencian government is preparing a formal order for everyone to stay indoors along the coast of southern Valencia and northern Alicante. Roads into the worst-hit areas are being closed.
📍 Oliva platja https://t.co/bov6ghX2ID
— Volcaholic 🌋 (@volcaholic1) October 19, 2026
Oliva is not the only town that has been facing serious flooding. Heavy rain has also affected neighbouring Pego, in Alicante province, while emergency crews have carried out rescues in other communities across the La Safor area.
Authorities have warned of an exceptional danger around rivers, streams and barrancos, the normally dry channels that can fill rapidly during torrential downpours. Residents have been told to avoid unnecessary journeys, stay away from flooded roads and follow instructions from emergency services. Anyone whose home is threatened by rising water should move to a higher floor and call 112 if they need urgent assistance.
Visitors staying at campsites or other accommodation in affected areas should follow instructions from local authorities rather than attempting to travel through flooded streets.
Rescat amb helicopter a oliva @apuntnoticies @apunt_media @avamet @GVA112 https://t.co/awcdXrUrui
— Marc (@mansano21) October 19, 2026
Where to check official updates
The situation was still developing on Monday morning, with emergency services continuing to respond to flooding and rescue calls. Residents and holidaymakers can check the latest AEMET weather warnings and follow updates from Valencia’s regional emergency service.