Surging seawater caused by Storm Gloria has led to major damage to beaches around Barcelona, Valencia and on the Balearic Islands.
At least nine people have died – including a Briton who disappeared while riding a motorbike in northern Ibiza – since the storm struck on Monday, wreaking beach facilities, blocking roads and triggering power cuts.
A carpet of foam engulfed streets in the resort of Tossa de Mar, just north of Barcelona while Lloret de Mar has also been affected.
A combination of heavy rains, gusting winds and high waves have destroyed seafront promenades, toppled trees, flooded roads and brought down bridges, walls and even entire buildings, Spanish newspaper El Pais reported.
The low temperatures also brought snowfall to northern and eastern Spain from Sunday, when the national weather agency Aemet declared a red alert in 10 provinces.
Storm Gloria has several hit a number of popular tourist areas in Spain including Barcelona
Although Storm Gloria had moved north towards southern France by Wednesday afternoon, a weather alert remained in place in parts of the landlocked Aragon region of north-east Spain, where 3,600 people were without electricity due to downed power lines.
The dangerous weather conditions forced hundreds of flights to be halted at Alicante airport on Monday just days after it re-opened after a fire in the terminal.
The Spanish meteorological office issued an “extreme risk” weather warning for the provinces of Teruel, Albacete, Murcia, Barcelona, Girona, Tarragona, Valencia, Alicante and Castellon.
“The Balearics, Almeria, Granada and Jaen are also on high alert,” the Foreign and Commonwealth Office warned.
“High winds and snowfall may cause road closures and disruption to transport services.
“If you’re in the area you should exercise caution and follow the advice of the local authorities.”