The Church of El Pilar in La Mola, Formentera, was flooded on Sunday, 18 October, after torrential rainfall brought by Storm Adam overwhelmed parts of the island. Water entered the church and inundated its nave, creating a striking image during a day marked by flooding, disrupted transport and damage to infrastructure across the Pitiusas.

The flooding occurred as intense rain swept across Ibiza and Formentera, with La Mola among the areas receiving particularly heavy precipitation. The incident highlighted the scale of the storm's impact on everyday life and community facilities across the islands.

Water Floods the Church of El Pilar

Images from La Mola showed water covering the interior of the church, a parish serving the local community in the eastern part of Formentera.

The building was among the locations affected by the exceptional rainfall on Sunday. Local reporting described more than a foot of water inside the church, although a detailed assessment of damage to the building and its contents was not available in the reports reviewed.

The flooding was part of a wider episode that affected residential properties, businesses and public spaces throughout Formentera.

La Mola Among the Areas Hit by Exceptional Rainfall

Storm Adam brought intense precipitation to the Pitiusas on Sunday, with particularly high accumulations recorded in Formentera.

Local reports put rainfall around La Mola at close to 190 litres per square metre during the episode. Separately, figures published by the Spanish State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) on Monday showed that its station in Sant Francesc had recorded 195 litres per square metre over 24 hours.

These measurements refer to different locations and reporting periods, but both illustrate the exceptional intensity of the rainfall affecting the island.

The storm also transformed Cala Saona beach into a torrent, while flooding affected streets, commercial premises and other facilities. Roads and paths were left with accumulated sand, stones and other debris, and some routes became difficult or unsafe to use.

Emergency Services Respond to Widespread Flooding

The effects of the storm extended beyond the church. Emergency services responded to numerous incidents involving flooded homes and businesses, waterlogged public areas, fallen trees and other weather-related problems.

Formentera was particularly affected, with local reporting describing significant flooding in residential areas and damage to infrastructure. The island's hospital and the Residència des Brolls also experienced flooding in some areas.

Authorities reinforced emergency response resources and urged residents to avoid unnecessary journeys, keep away from torrents and flooded roads, and stay out of basements and garages at risk of inundation.

Red Weather Alert and School Closures

As the storm continued to pose a risk, the Balearic Government maintained a red weather alert for Ibiza and Formentera and announced the suspension of school activities on Monday, 19 October, across Ibiza, Formentera and Mallorca.

The decision followed the heavy rainfall already recorded and forecasts of further intense precipitation. Authorities urged residents to follow official communications and emergency instructions as the situation developed.

The flooding at the Church of El Pilar became one of the most striking images from the storm, reflecting the scale of the disruption experienced in Formentera as Storm Adam brought torrential rain to the island.