Storm Alice has unleashed severe flooding and travel chaos across eastern Spain, trapping residents, forcing evacuations in Catalonia, and crippling air and rail travel.

Heavy rains from Storm Alice continue to batter parts of Spain, causing severe flooding in Catalonia that has trapped people in cars, forced evacuations, and led to a state of emergency in several areas.

The flash flooding struck north-eastern Spain over the weekend, with dramatic footage showing torrents of muddy water pouring through towns in the province of Tarragona. Emergency services reported receiving more than 2,100 calls, rescuing individuals trapped in their vehicles and opening emergency shelters for displaced residents.

Catalonia's civil protection agency declared a state of emergency in five regions. Officials urged residents in the Ebro Delta to stay indoors and oversaw evacuations in the city of Murcia as conditions deteriorated.

While no fatalities have been reported, at least 18 people have been injured by the severe weather.

The disruption is expected to continue. On Tuesday, an orange weather warning was in effect, with forecasts of up to 50mm of rainfall. A broader yellow alert for storms remains in place for areas including Majorca, Ibiza, Ampurdan, and Castellón.

In a statement, Spain's meteorological agency Aemet advised the public: "Be prepared. Take precautions and keep informed of the latest weather forecast. Significant damage may be caused to people and property, particularly in vulnerable or exposed areas."

The severe weather also caused significant travel chaos across eastern Spain. Air and rail transport were heavily impacted, with at least 24 flights cancelled by late afternoon and train services suspended along the key Mediterranean corridor between Barcelona and Valencia.

Officials from the Spanish airport authority AENA confirmed that adverse weather temporarily paralysed operations at Ibiza airport for over an hour, and power cuts were also reported at the facility.

"The situation is complicated and more rainfall is forecast," Cristina Vicente, a senior official at the agency, was quoted as saying by the newspaper La Vanguardia.

The storm's impact continued into Monday, prompting the national meteorological agency Aemet to issue its most severe red alert for rain in Valencia. On social media, dramatic images showed cars floating and streets transformed into rivers, with tourists and locals alike advised to stay indoors.

There is, however, relief on the horizon. Storm Alice is expected to move further east on Wednesday, with clearer conditions forecast across Spain later in the week.