Flash flooding hits Split as storm dumps nearly 100mm of rain in hours

A severe storm flooded streets and garages across Split and the surrounding Dalmatia region on Wednesday evening, with heavy rain forcing open manhole covers and disrupting traffic, Croatian outlet Index.hr reported.

The storm hit the Trogir area in the late afternoon before spreading to Split, Solin, Kaštela, Podstrana and parts of the Dalmatian hinterland an hour or so later, according to Index.hr. A garage on Ruđera Boškovića street in Split flooded, with cars trapped at its entrance as water surged from drains, the outlet said.

Water on Domovinskog rata street in Split reached more than 30 centimetres deep, Dalmacija Danas reported, according to Index.hr. Residents of the Neslanovac area reported that strong torrents had forced open several sewer covers, creating an additional hazard for drivers, Index.hr said. Traffic was also moving very slowly through Solin, with drivers warned of flooded roads and hidden obstacles beneath the water.

The Crometeo weather station network recorded almost 95 litres of rain per square metre at its Kosa station by 18:30, Index.hr reported. Nearby stations recorded 76 litres in Nisko, 63 in Grohote on the island of Šolta and 62 in Staševica, with further heavy totals around Kaštela and the island of Čiovo.

Croatia's meteorological service issued an orange weather warning as a strong southerly jugo wind added to the disruption across central and southern Dalmatia, Index.hr said. Several ferry and catamaran routes were suspended because of the conditions, including links between Split and Hvar, Korčula and Dubrovnik, as well as the Sumartin-Makarska and Prapratno-Sobra lines.

The Croatian Auto Club warned drivers of wet, slippery roads and the risk of landslides, urging extra caution on flooded roads where damaged surfaces and open drain covers may be hidden under water, Index.hr reported.