Tourists Stranded on Ibiza as Storm Alice Floods Airport

(IBIZA, SPAIN) Storm Alice forced the shutdown of Ibiza Airport after torrential rain flooded terminals and access roads, leaving hundreds of travelers stranded and scores of flights disrupted across the Balearic Islands over the weekend. Authorities halted all operations at Ibiza Airport (IBZ) for more than an hour on Saturday, October 11, as crews worked to clear water from the runways amid flash floods and record rainfall that turned streets into rivers.

Emergency services said water entered the terminal building and swamped the main road to the airport, making it impossible for many passengers to reach or leave the site. Airlines cancelled at least 24 of 295 scheduled flights on Saturday, with more cancellations and delays rippling through Sunday as crews assessed damage and cleared debris. Public transport was suspended, while alternative routes were set aside for emergency use only, cutting off many tourists and residents from the airport during the height of the storm.

Rescue, relief and temporary shelter

The Balearic government deployed the military, firefighters, and police in a large-scale rescue and relief effort. Additional teams from the Spanish army’s emergencies unit were sent from the mainland to help pump water, support evacuations, and reach people trapped by rising waters.

Officials opened temporary shelters for those displaced by the floods, including some tourists unable to return to hotels that had been damaged or evacuated due to flooding and rockfalls. Local media reported hundreds stranded at the airport and in hotels, with roughly 1,000 people missing flights because roads were blocked or planes could not operate safely.

Power outages added to the strain, with more than 500 users in Formentera losing electricity during the worst of the flooding, according to officials.

Record rainfall and alerts

In Ibiza Town, the Spanish Meteorological Agency (AEMET) recorded 254 millimeters of rain in 24 hours—the wettest day since 1952. AEMET issued red alerts at the storm’s peak, later downgrading them as conditions slowly improved.

Even as alerts eased, authorities urged people to avoid low-lying areas, remain indoors where possible, and keep roads clear for rescue vehicles. The Balearic Islands remained on alert as cleanup continued through Sunday, and officials warned that standing water and damaged infrastructure could still pose risks.

“Authorities reminded residents and visitors that clean-up can take time even after skies clear because saturated ground and damaged drainage systems keep water from receding quickly.”

Airport operations and travel disruption

Airport managers said internal flooding at IBZ drew resources away from normal operations, as crews focused on protecting electrical systems and clearing water from key areas. Baggage handling and ground services also faced stoppages while runways and taxiways were inspected for damage.

By Sunday, some flights had resumed, but the backlog remained, and airlines advised customers to check status updates before heading to the airport.

The disruption extended beyond Ibiza. The neighboring islands of Formentera and Mallorca also reported flooding, blocked roads, and transport suspensions. With ferries and flights disrupted, some travelers found themselves in extended limbo, waiting on new travel options as weather bands moved across the archipelago. Local authorities emphasized that many roads were unsafe and warned that even shallow floodwaters could conceal hazards.

How weather shutdowns ripple across networks

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, weather-related shutdowns like the one caused by Storm Alice often create a chain reaction across airline networks. When an airport closes, crews and aircraft end up in the wrong places, and schedules unravel across multiple hubs. That effect helps explain why flights disrupted in Ibiza also led to delays and cancellations in cities far from the Balearic Islands, as carriers struggled to reposition planes and staff once weather conditions allowed.

Emergency response actions and guidance

Officials stressed that emergency lines remained open, asking people to dial 112 only for urgent help so operators could prioritize rescues and medical needs. Helicopters, high-clearance vehicles, and pumps were deployed to remove water from critical spots, including hospital access routes and key junctions.

Authorities reminded residents and visitors that:

• Clean-up can be slow because of saturated ground and blocked drainage.
• Damaged roads and lingering floodwaters pose continued hazards.
• Emergency lines should be used only for urgent situations to allow prioritization.

AEMET said Storm Alice was expected to gradually weaken from Sunday into Monday, but warned that patchy showers and strong gusts could persist in parts of the islands. For travelers, that meant schedules could still shift with little notice as airlines adjusted to changing conditions and limited airport capacity. Public transport operators said services would restart in phases once safety checks were complete and roads reopened.

For the latest official weather updates and advisories for the Balearic Islands, travelers and residents can check the Spanish Meteorological Agency’s website at AEMET.

Impact on travel

• Airlines advised customers to monitor flight status closely and to avoid heading to the airport unless a departure was confirmed.
• Public transport suspension and limited road access meant many passengers could not reach Ibiza Airport even when flights resumed.
• With hundreds stranded and some hotels evacuated, local shelters offered temporary relief while authorities assessed building safety.

Ibiza Airport’s operations team focused on pumping water and inspecting runways to ensure safe landings and takeoffs. Ground handling delays compounded the backlog as baggage systems and loading equipment were checked after flooding. Airlines urged patience as they worked through rebookings, cautioning that same-day alternatives might not be available because of aircraft and crew placement issues.

Emergency response and ongoing risks

• The Balearic government mobilized firefighters, police, and the military; reinforcements arrived from the mainland.
• Temporary shelters opened for those displaced, including tourists whose lodging was flooded or cut off.
• Authorities warned that even as Storm Alice weakened, damaged roads and lingering floodwaters posed hazards.

Officials asked residents and visitors to follow instructions from local authorities and to keep non-essential travel to a minimum. Crews continued to clear debris from drains and to secure areas prone to rockfalls after heavy saturation. No casualties had been reported as of Sunday, but officials said they were monitoring flood-prone zones closely.

AEMET’s alerts helped guide the emergency response by signaling when conditions were most dangerous and when teams could expand clean-up operations.

Safety reminders

Authorities repeated simple safety guidance to reduce strain on emergency services and keep people out of harm’s way:

• Check with your airline before traveling to the airport.
• Follow local authority instructions; stay indoors when advised.
• Avoid flood-prone or low-lying areas, even after heavy rain stops.
• For urgent help, call 112 in Spain.

As crews worked through the night to drain water and reopen key routes, the region braced for a slow return to normal. With flights disrupted and public transport still limited in some areas, the ripple effects of Storm Alice were expected to last beyond the weekend. Officials said patience and caution would be essential while teams restored services and ensured essential infrastructure was safe to use.