Two killed by raging storms along Spanish coast*

12 Oct 2007 19:00:24 GMT
Source: Reuters

MADRID, Oct 12 (Reuters) - At least two people were killed by storms on
Spain's Mediterranean coast on Friday as heavy rain sent torrents
through towns and blocked highways in one of Europe's top tourist areas,
local authorities said.

An elderly woman died when her home was flooded in the town of El Vergel
in the Valencia region, local government officials told national radio.

Other residents were evacuated from roof tops by helicopter.

On the island of Ibiza, a kite-surfer was killed when a gust of wind
slammed him into the wall of a hotel, national radio reported.

In Denia, another town in Valencia, residents fled their homes after the
Girona river burst its banks, police said.

The city of Valencia closed its port and diverted aircraft from its
airport as ferries to the Balearic islands were cancelled.

The storms are the latest unseasonably heavy rain to hit Spain after
flash floods swept through towns in Andalucia last month.