Extreme storms hits Majorca: Gale force winds and torrential rain batter Spanish resort with trees crashing down, streets flooding and tourists forced to run for cover

• Holidaymakers have shared footage of the terrifying storms gripping the island
• Footage shows sun loungers flying through the air, while palm trees crash down 

The holiday island of Majorca has been battered by gale force winds and torrential rain with trees crashing down, streets flooding and tourists forced to run for cover.

Stunned holidaymakers have shared footage of tourists fleeing for shelter as sun loungers were sent flying across swimming pools and beaches by the extreme storms. 

Hotel resorts have been left unrecognisable after being lashed by fierce winds, rain and hail. Local media reports that there were more than 80 flood-related incidents on the island within an hour this morning.

Motorists were also seen struggling to navigate through flooded roads while also contending with limited visibility on the popular Spanish island which is usually associated with blistering heat and glorious sunshine in August.

It comes as severe warnings were issued across the holiday hotspots of Majorca, Ibiza, Menorca and Formentera on Sunday. 

Hotel resorts look unrecognisable after being lashed by the devastating storms in Majorca. Objects were seen flying through the air (right) 

Torrential rain in Majorca has caused huge flooding on the streets as motorists attempt to navigate their cars through 

It comes as severe warnings were issued across the holiday hotspots of Majorca, Ibiza, Menorca and Formentera on Sunday

Stunned holidaymakers have shared footage of tourists fleeing for shelter as sun loungers were sent flying into swimming pools by the fierce winds

Footage shows palm trees almost being pulled out as the island contends with hurricane force winds

Large clouds and moody skies are looming over the island, especially in Andratx – one of the localities most affected by the storms. 

Holidaymakers with young children have shared extraordinary videos of them having to shelter behind cars from the terrifying storms, while other tourists had to flee a beach as parasols and deckchairs were picked up and thrown around by the strong winds.

Trees have been toppled while basements have been flooded as officials try to contend with the strong gales. 

The Aemet met agency has warned that there will be more fierce storms in Majorca this evening, as the poor weather continues into the night.

The 112 emergency service in the Balearics reported 84 storm-related incidents within an hour today, Majorca Daily Bulletin reported. 

The newspaper also reported that a pregnant woman in Calvia was taken to a health centre after being injured by a falling sign. 

An amber alert has been extended until midnight on Sunday across the whole of Majorca as heavy rain and hail were swept across the island by hurricane force winds. 

The Tramuntana region and the north and northeast of the island are most likely to be affected, forecasters added.

Motorists were seen trying to navigate through the roads with very limited visibility

A tree is on the verge of being pulled on the ground as gale force winds grip the holiday island

A large cloud over the sea of the town of Andratx, in Majorca, Spain, 27 August 2023. Andratx is one of the localities of Majorca most affected by the storms registered in the last hours in the Balearic Islands

Holidaymakers were forced to sprint away from the beach as sun loungers and parasols got picked up in the winds

Holidaymakers have shared footage of the storms as the island is lashed by torrential rain and winds

A mother protects her children from the storms as they take shelter behind a vehicle in Majorca

One woman opened up the door to her patio to gale force winds and rain battering her villa

The forceful storms hit the island at around 11am and within an hour, there were 84 incidents. 

Of these, 49 were in the capital Palma and 24 were in the historic town of Calvia – in the southwest. 

The Met Office has warned Brits of the storms, sharing a video of the destruction on the island with the caption: ‘Severe thunderstorms are affecting the Balearic Islands, leading to heavy rain and strong gusty winds.’

It comes as other parts of Europe has been battling with wildfires amid heatwaves on the continent.

Greece in particular has been plagued by fires this summer as gale-force winds and hot, dry summer conditions combined to whip up flames and hamper firefighting efforts. 

More than 600 firefighters, including reinforcements from several European countries, backed by a fleet of water-dropping planes and helicopters were battling three persistent major wildfires in Greece on Sunday, two of which have been raging for days.

A massive blaze in the country’s north-eastern regions of Evros and Alexandroupolis, believed to have caused the deaths of 20 people, was burning for a ninth day.

The blaze, one of the largest single wildfires ever to have struck a European Union country, has decimated vast tracts of forest and burnt homes in the outlying areas of the city of Alexandroupolis. 

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