Spanish Oddities
Harsh weather across Spain claims its first victim
By h.b.
Nov 25, 2008 - 7:11 AM

The harsh winter weather hitting Spain this week has now resulted in a death, as well as led to complications for land and sea transport.

A 50 year old man died in Asturias after he was buried inside his car by a landslide. It happened on the AS-227 road at Belmonte de Mirada, with the victim’s car buried under some 30 metres of earth and stones. The body of Eduardo Prieto was practically unrecognisable.

Chains are needed because of the snowfalls on thirty mountain passes across the north of the country.

The fishing fleet based along the Galician coast are staying in port because of the conditions.

There is a risk of flooding in the Basque Country with the Oria, Urola and Deba rivers.

Nine mini-tornados have been recorded in the sea off Mallorca, but none of them came ashore.

Six regions of the country are on official alert for heavy rain and high winds; Asturias, Cantabria, Basque Country, Navarra, Aragón and Castilla y León.

The instability caused by the storm is set to continue all week and a new front will bring heavy rainfall to all areas, starting in the north and reaching the south by the weekend. Strong winds will continue to force the mercury downwards.