Floods and DANA

It covers why and where Spain floods, how to recognise dangerous ground that looks dry, and what to do during a DANA. It also covers garages and basements, getting your home ready for storms, and the steps and public aid that follow a flood.

After reading, you will know where and why Spain floods, what to do during a DANA, and what to do and claim afterwards.

Start with "DANA and gota fría: why September to November is flood season". It explains the phenomenon, the season, the regions at risk and how much warning you get. Insurance cover, tenant and landlord damage duties, general household crisis plans and coastal storm surge are not covered here.

Key rules

• Moving water depth: Just 30 cm of moving water can drag a person and about 50 cm can float a car, so never cross flooded roads, ramblas or streams.
• Warning time: Formal weather warnings usually come 24 to 72 hours before a DANA, but flash floods in small catchments can develop within an hour or two of the rain.
• Flood season: Flood risk from a DANA is highest from September to November, though a DANA can happen in any month.
• Fixing an application: If an aid application has missing documents, you get 10 working days to correct it before it is rejected.
• Calling 112: Call 112 only for a real danger to life or an urgent rescue, giving your exact location and a contact number.
• Power and gas after a flood: Do not switch on electricity or use gas in a flooded home until a qualified electrician or the supplier has checked the installation.

Floods and DANA: the whole process, step by step

• Learn the season and know your local flood risk (DANA and gota fría; Which places flood): Before September, as flood risk is highest from September to November

• Get your home and street ready (Getting your home and street ready for autumn storms): Before the September to November season starts

• Watch for weather warnings and move cars and belongings out of garages and basements (Underground garages, storerooms and ground floors): Formal warnings usually come 24 to 72 hours before a DANA, with updates as it nears

• Go up, stay out of cars and follow ES-Alert (What to do during a flash flood or DANA): As soon as rain starts, because flash floods in small catchments can develop within an hour or two of the rain

• Stay safe, take photos and tell your insurer; do not start a flooded car (After a flood: first steps): Straight after the water goes down; notify the Consorcio de Compensación de Seguros within a short deadline, which has been 7 days from the event

• Ask your bank about a pause on mortgage or loan payments and tax or social security deferrals (Public aid after a disaster): Once your municipality is declared affected, and as soon as you can show damage to your home or business

• Apply for public aid and fix any missing documents (Public aid after a disaster): After the declaration; if documents are missing you get 10 working days to correct the application

• See what changed in warnings and policy (What changed in Spain after the Valencia floods of 2024): Any time, to understand how the system works now

Documents you may need

Identity and residence

• Copy or digital copy of your ID — Getting your home and street ready for autumn storms
• Insurance policy number and your identity documents — After a flood: first steps for safety, cleanup and damage
• Passport or NIE/TIE to prove your identity — Public aid after a disaster, and whether foreign residents can claim
• Padrón certificate — Public aid after a disaster, and whether foreign residents can claim

Payments and receipts

• Purchase receipts — After a flood: first steps for safety, cleanup and damage
• Repair estimates and invoices for any emergency work — After a flood: first steps for safety, cleanup and damage

Other documents

• Proof that you own or rent the property — After a flood: first steps for safety, cleanup and damage
• Proof of ownership — Public aid after a disaster, and whether foreign residents can claim
• Evidence of the damage to your home or belongings — Public aid after a disaster, and whether foreign residents can claim

Each article lists the other documents it asks for, where you need them.

Floods and DANA: questions that cross several articles

Does a dry rambla or barranco near my home mean I am safe from floods?

No, a dry rambla or barranco can still flood suddenly, because rain many kilometres upstream can send a violent flow of mud and debris down within minutes. Read Which places flood: ramblas, barrancos and low-lying towns for how to spot them, and What to do during a flash flood or DANA for what to do.

How can I check whether my address is in an officially flood-prone area?

Open the national flood-zone viewer (SNCZI), search your address or municipality and switch on the flood-prone layers. Regions have their own viewers, such as PATRICOVA in the Valencian Community. Read Which places flood: ramblas, barrancos and low-lying towns, then Getting your home and street ready for autumn storms.

How much warning will I get before a DANA brings flash floods?

Formal weather warnings usually come 24 to 72 hours before, but the exact place and strength of storms are hard to predict, so a warning can change at short notice. Read DANA and gota fría: why September to November is flood season, then Underground garages, storerooms (trasteros) and ground floors in floods to know what to move early.

What changed in emergency rules after the 2024 Valencia floods, and who is in charge now?

Regions still lead emergency management, and the state steps in only if it declares an emergency of national interest. Debate and reforms have focused on emergency protocols, ES-Alert use and coordination between the weather agency, river basin authority and regions. Read What changed in Spain after the Valencia floods of 2024, then Public aid after a disaster, and whether foreign residents can claim.

What should I do about a flooded car and my loan payments afterwards?

Do not start a flooded car; photograph it, notify your insurer and have it towed, as the Consorcio de Compensación de Seguros generally pays flood damage to vehicles with a valid motor policy. After a declaration, affected households may be able to pause mortgage and consumer loan payments if they can show damage. Read After a flood: first steps for safety, cleanup and damage and Public aid after a disaster, and whether foreign residents can claim.