Persistent heavy rain has left hundreds more homes flooded around Andalucia. The record rainfall, which has seen over 400 mm falling in many areas in under a week, caused dozens of rivers to burst their banks. The highest rainfall fell in Grazalema, where the town saw 709mm fall since December 21. Since September 1,200mm has fallen in Spain´s wettest town, which is 60 per cent higher than the average for this time of year. Algeciras saw 400mm of rain, while Torremolinos saw 322mm in under a week. In total over 2 cubic kilometres of water have entered the reservoirs in Andalucia over the last ten days. This is 20 per cent of the total capacity for the region. Some of the worst flooding was in Jerez where the Guadalete river burst its banks leaving 2000 homes flooded and dozens of families cut off. The La Ina area was worst affected, while 26 houses were affected in Las Pachecas. The water authority confirmed that the river was at its highest level for 'over 100 years'. In Granada two houses were swept away by floods in Guadix, while two electricity lines were blown over in Cadiz. There was 'incalculable' damage to farming land in Almeria, while 18 000 homes in Jerez were cut off from water.

A tornado struck Catania between 3.30 and 4.00 pm today. Two people were injured in the city and tragically, four naval officers were seriously injured when the tornado struck their helicopter hangar at the Maristaeli Base. One of them has since died. At Motta Sant'Anastasia, 15 kilometres away, roofs were blown off houses and trees were felled.