CLUB TORREVIEJA 
CLASSICS & SPECIALISTS CARS 
www.clubtorrevieja.com 
THE GOTA FRÍA 
DEALING WITH FLOODING IN SPAIN 
by David Hudson of Torrevieja´s classic and specialist car club 



In the Country of the Sun it can also rain, said the Valencian Government on their information sticker it gave out at the Gota Fría in 1987 which devastated the region of the Vega Baja and the road system you now have is from that time. As I was here then I thought that I would share with you my experience.

The climate has changed during the last 5 years possibly because of the building on high lands with housing of multi-storey buildings. Before, when rain clouds came they hit the Orihuela & Callosa Sierras, rained and then rushed across the plains to the sea, with very little rain from the foot hills to the coast. Now with 3 storey buildings on the hills they form an artificial Sierra and slow the rain clouds down as well as causing heavy rain. We will now have more heavy rain than before as well as more cloudy conditions in the summer months. 

The information continued explaining that this area has a special climate which means it is possible to have large amounts of rain in the Autumn. It told you to keep up to-date with what is happening here to prevent unpleasant surprises. Good weather news is on Spanish TV1 at 16.00h and Antena 3 at 20.00h or you can use the Web. You should leave your car if there is danger of Flooding because a car does not make a good boat and a person was decapitated in their car as they were trapped by the water. So be warned. As the leaflet says the thing is that in Spain when it rains it really rains and in the last shower we had this year my rain gauge registered 100 litres in 1½ hours which will give you an idea of what to expect if it really rains for 10 hours or more.

If at any time when it has began to rain and torrential rains starts falling persistently start thinking about flooding and preparing yourself or get home quickly or somewhere high from flooding. Always make sure you follow the advice of the Civil Protection and you will help the rescue operations to be carried out quickly. All these tips are still relevant now. 

One thing you need to do now, based on your recent experience around your home, is to look for danger areas of flooding and plan your exit in case you need to get to the hospital, shops or the petrol station. Do not forget where your wellies are because shoes will be useless. If you have a garage under the house then get your car out quickly because there could be 2 to 3 feet of water in it within two hours of the first drop of rain. Keep your petrol tank as full as possible and as mentioned before only use your car if it is really necessary and if you are in it never wait in the car whilst the water on the road rises because your car will not be a safe boat. Even in this year’s showers, cars in Andalusia were piled up on top of each other as they floated down the road and one woman had to get out quickly at the traffic lights before being trapped in her car as it floated down the road. A person died in an underground Car Park because the water was so quick in rising. The speed that the water arrives still catches people unawares. 

The tarmac in Spain is designed to cope with heat and not melt as in Britain but unlike Britain it does not have good gripping power in the wet. If you are driving your Classic Car and are caught in the rain remember what it was like 30 to 40 years ago when braking was slower and braking distances were poor in the wet, aquaplaning happened often. Remember unlike your modern car you have no assisted braking, power steering nor good lights and poor wipers all will make you having to be extra careful. Don’t think it won’t happen as this type of rain will come from nowhere. Be aware of dips in the road or road humps that act as a dam and suddenly you can be in an extra 2 foot of water. If it rains at night and you have to get back home you will not have a good idea what is around you and normal points such as kerbs and road signs will not be there, therefore be especially careful. 

Never park your car over a manhole cover as they can be pushed up by the water pressure. Always be aware that a seaside Town is on a hill which is why the sea stops. Therefore all roads running down will have a river of water and the danger is underneath the surface which will have the greatest pressure and crossing the road can be very dangerous. 


Always have your car checked after it has been in deep water as I remember my SEAT 600 going through deep water, even though it was coming under the doors, with no problems. Being proud that it made it through the water later I regretted it when 6 months after I needed a new gear box as it had rusted up due to the water getting in. My friend’s new car had to have extensive repairs when it broke down in 2 foot of water. 

This information is written purely to advise based on the authors 20 years of experience in Spain. Copyright