Heavy rain flooded the protest camp at Puerta del Sol, prompting protesters to drain their makeshift shelters with buckets and coolers, while others used mops. Water pooled quickly as tarps sagged and tents began to flood, but protesters worked to keep the camp from washing away.
People worked shoulder to shoulder, filling and emptying buckets while catching water pouring off makeshift roofs in coolers. One protester swept the ground with a mop to push water out; another yanked a tarp, sending a wave away from the tents. Spain's national meteorological agency, AEMET, had warned the city of heavy rain and storms. Madrid was under a yellow alert, with the city center and nearby areas at risk. AEMET forecast that the heaviest rainfall would intensify after 16:00, with storms and possible hail expected to continue into the evening.
After the storm, the damage was clear. Tents sagged under the weight of water, while slogans and banners for immigrant rights clung to wet surfaces, some torn and barely holding on. The "Decreto Maricarmen ya" sign was ripped and almost gone. The bear and strawberry tree statue was surrounded by soggy posters, while a penguin figure was streaked with water stains.
Inside the camp, signs had fallen and bedding was soaked. The group quickly threw new tarps over tents, keeping buckets and coolers close at hand, with mops ready. AEMET had also warned of strong winds and hail. Madrid 112 and Telemadrid issued warnings as well. The camp's fragile setup faced threats beyond the rain.
The episode came during a longer period of unstable weather in early October. AEMET forecasts for some areas of Spain exceeded 150 mm of rain in less than six hours, with warnings of local flooding and rising water levels. Madrid's weather continues to test the camp, and protesters have learned to react quickly. As reported earlier, ability to recover is a constant in Spanish public life, appearing in protests and personal battles alike.
Even as rain battered their shelters, the protesters in Sol stayed put, turning everyday objects such as buckets and coolers into tools for survival.
