Heavy rain in areas of Spain leads to flooding, stranded motorists and two deaths: Reports

Record levels of rainfall drenched the Madrid region of Spain over the weekend, causing flooding, delaying a Spanish league soccer game and reportedly leading to at least two deaths, authorities said.

Madrid's Mayor Jose Luis Martinez-Almeida on Sunday urged citizens to stay indoors as the country's capital braced for torrential rainfall and storms. Following months of historic drought, flash floods stranded motorists and carried away cars, while some rail services were suspended.

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Spain's national weather agency AEMET also issued a maximum red alert on Sunday, warning of the potential for extreme danger in the Madrid region, Toledo province and city of Cadiz. The agency on Monday lowered the alert level to yellow, though the potential for waning rainfall still existed.

Almeida said Madrid's 1972 record rainfall of 87 liters per square meter appeared likely to be broken as forecasts predicted that up to of 120 liters per square meter was possible, according to The Associated Press.

"Due to the exceptional and abnormal situation, in which rainfall records will be broken, I ask the people of Madrid to stay at home today," Almeida wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

'Dana' meteorological phenomenon leaves two dead

Known as the "DANA" (the Spanish acronym for "isolated high-level depression"), the meteorological phenomenon began Sunday afternoon and continued into the night.

Madrid's emergency services sent text messages to residents advising them to stay at home and to avoid driving. Spain's state rail service said that rail service between Madrid and the eastern coastal area of Valencia and other lines had been suspended.

Rainfall was strongest in Madrid and Castilla-La-Mancha and came after months of heat and drought in Spain.

At least two people are dead and one person is missing, local media reported.

The weather also prompted LaLiga to postpone Atletico Madrid’s Sunday evening home game against Sevilla at the Wanda Metropolitano stadium in Madrid.

Contributing: The Associated Press

Eric Lagatta covers breaking and trending news for USA TODAY. Reach him at [email protected].