Areas to the south and east of Madrid were hit particularly hard. In the municipalities of Valdemoro and Arganda del Rey, hailstones the size of golf balls transformed some areas into winter landscapes, as if blanketed by snow.

Local television showed residents trying to barricade their garages with mattresses to block the floodwaters, while others posted videos on social media of the views from their balconies as the water swept vehicles and trash cans down their streets.

The flash flood also prompted some mudslides that cut off roads and brought down trees. Two of the main highways that circumvent Madrid had to be temporarily closed, and some flights were delayed or diverted away from the city’s airport to other neighboring airfields.