Storms claim a life as floods hit northern Spain

AT LEAST one person has died amid widespread travel chaos in northern Spain as flash floods swept large swathes of the region on Wednesday, October 12.

A 60-year-old man drowned as his car was swept away in Vilassar de Mar, Catalonia, after he apparently ignored warning signs and drove into a flood risk zone.

In the Cabrils Valley record rainfall was recorded, with more than 205 litres per square metre in less than four hours according to Catalan meteorological agency MeteoCat.

In northwestern Spain, extensive flooding has also been reported in Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, as councils warned residents to stay clear of flooded buildings and roads.

Heavy rainfall has swept across the country since early on Wednesday, but is expected to disperse on Thursday and Friday.