SEVERE storms have hit yet another Brit holiday hotspot, causing flash flooding in normally dry, cobble-stoned streets.
Sicily was smashed with a violent downpour overnight, with flash flooding turning city streets into rivers.
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Sicily’s fourth largest town Alcamo was hit by 35mm of rain around midnight on Wednesday, leaving chaos in its wake.
Videos posted to social media captured forked lightning and raging torrents flowing through the Italian streets.
The flash flooding left nothing behind, with parked cars being swept away.
The flood waters invaded garages, basements and the ground floor of many homes, overwhelming the city in just a few hours.
Emergency services received several requests for help throughout the night.
This comes after the Balearic region in Spain suffered similar shock waves of weather earlier in the week.
Severe weather hit Spain on Monday, with extreme rainfall and strong winds measuring up to 62mph.
Widespread delays for flights continued from Monday through to Wednesday, causing mayhem amongst waiting passengers.
Holidaymakers travelling from popular destinations including Palma, Barcelona, Granada, Ibiza, Paris and London Gatwick were left stranded as flights continued to be delayed and cancelled.
Orange weather alerts were across Spain as heavy rain engulfed the country.
The Balearic government activated an emergency plan as an Atlantic front wreaks havoc.
The office is asking the public to “exercise extreme caution”.
A spokesperson assured the public “the situation is being monitored continuously and all necessary preventative measures are being coordinated”.
Other warnings have included emergency services urging locals to “avoid travelling by car unless absolutely necessary”.
“If you must drive, the … directorate general of the government asks you to moderate your speed, increase your safety distance and use motorways, dual carriageways and main roads,” a statement read.
“In case of low visibility, it is recommended to stop the vehicle and signal your position.”
Spain’s weather woes
Spain has been battered by torrential rain and flash flooding over the last 24 hours, as nature’s full force continues to cause widespread chaos.
The deluge has left people running for their lives in Valencia, as a massive storm hit a shopping centre yesterday afternoon.
A worker was seen taking a video of a palm tree breaking under the gale force winds in Alicante.
The brutal weather has come after Severe Weather Europe warned of “extremely high rainfall” in three zones across the north-central Mediterranean region.
Much of Spain‘s Alicante region was placed on orange and yellow alerts on Monday for extreme rainfall and strong winds.
A red alert was also issued for the southern coastal and pre-coastal areas of Tarragona on Monday for torrential rain.
The rain has shown no signs of slowing down, as a further 90mm is expected to fall in just an hour on Wednesday.
In Palma, at least 79 flights have been cancelled, with numerous delays and nine flights diverted to other destinations.
Ibiza has reported 20 cancellations and two diversions while Menorca – initially safe from the storms – began experiencing delays on Tuesday evening.
The storm has also caused power outages in Capdella, and damage to telephone lines in Malgrats.
Emergency services remain on high alert as the islands brace for further impacts from the ongoing storm.
People were also urged “not to enter flood-prone areas”.
“Even if there appears to be little water – even at low heights, vehicles float and can be easily swept away,” they said.
“If your car starts to float and is swept away, get out immediately.
“If that is not possible through the door, use the window.”
Motorists were told to “abandon vehicles and move to higher ground” if they enter a flood water area, as well as being urged to have fully charged phones and enough fuel in the vehicles.
Across the globe, Bali was also smashed with horror floods, leaving at least six people dead.
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Some of the island’s most popular tourist spots were left underwater – as monsoon rain thrashed the island.
The deluge began on Tuesday evening and has continued into Wednesday, bringing down two buildings in the island’s capital Denpasar.
Four people were killed when the buildings collapsed and multiple major roads remain blocked off.
Videos posted to social media show cars floating down roadways and overflowing rivers.
The flooding has engulfed entire streets as panicked locals attempt to wade through chest-deep water.
In total, four regions of the island have been severely disrupted by the wild weather.
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