Spain’s Military Emergency Unit (UME) has deployed personnel and equipment to Ibiza and Mallorca to reinforce emergency operations following the severe flooding caused by Storm Adam. Units from the Third Emergency Intervention Battalion (BIEM III), based in Bétera, Valencia, departed on Sunday, 18 October 2026, to support the emergency services coordinated by 112.

The deployment came as torrential rain affected the Balearic Islands, flooding homes, businesses and public areas, disrupting road traffic and creating dangerous conditions in several municipalities. Formentera was particularly affected, with exceptionally high rainfall recorded at La Mola and severe runoff at Cala Saona.

The military personnel were mobilised to provide additional resources for the ongoing response, working alongside the island's emergency services, firefighters and security forces.

UME Teams Mobilised to Support Emergency Operations

The UME confirmed that personnel and equipment from its Third Emergency Intervention Battalion had embarked at the port of Dénia, heading towards Ibiza and Mallorca.

Their mission is to reinforce the emergency response to incidents caused by Storm Adam, under the coordination of the 112 emergency service.

The deployed units are expected to assist with pumping water out of flooded areas, removing obstacles from public roads and supporting rescue operations where required.

The mobilisation provides additional specialist resources at a time when emergency teams across the islands are dealing with flooding and weather-related incidents in multiple locations.

Nearly 100 Incidents Registered Across the Islands

By 17:30 on Sunday, the Balearic emergency service 112 had recorded 98 incidents linked to the storm across the archipelago.

Of these, 38 were registered in Ibiza, 53 in Formentera and seven in Mallorca. Most involved flooding in commercial premises, homes and public areas.

The figures represented the situation at that point on Sunday and did not constitute a final total for the storm.

Emergency services urged residents to avoid unnecessary journeys, stay away from torrents and areas prone to flash flooding, and never attempt to cross flooded roads.

People were also advised to keep away from basements and other low-lying areas at risk of water accumulation, and to move to higher floors if flooding threatened their homes.

Formentera Among the Worst-Affected Areas

Formentera experienced particularly intense rainfall during the storm. La Mola recorded 178.4 litres per square metre by 12:45 on Sunday, according to figures reported during the event.

Cala Saona was also severely affected by runoff, with floodwater sweeping across the beach and carrying sediment and debris towards the sea.

Across the Pitiusas, the rainfall caused water to accumulate on roads, flooded garages and ground-floor properties, and displaced containers and other objects in flowing water.

The scale of the flooding prompted authorities to reinforce emergency operations and issue repeated warnings about the dangers of travelling during the storm.

Authorities Urge Residents to Follow Safety Advice

The emergency services continued to call on the public to take precautions while conditions remained unstable.

Residents were advised to avoid unnecessary travel, stay away from areas where torrents could overflow and follow instructions from emergency and security personnel. Anyone facing an immediate threat was urged to contact 112.

The arrival of UME personnel and equipment added further support to the response as emergency teams worked to remove water, clear affected roads and assist people in areas impacted by flooding.

The deployment highlighted the scale of the operation required to respond to Storm Adam across Ibiza, Formentera and Mallorca, with coordination between military emergency specialists and local services central to the ongoing response.