A British couple have been found dead in Spain after being caught in floods last week, their daughters said.

At least 217 people have died after heavy rains in the east Spain caused flash flooding, with thousands of cars left wrecked on the streets and an unknown number still missing.

Ruth O’Loughlin and Renee Turner told Sky News their parents Don, 78, and Terry Turner, 74, went missing during the floods in the Valencia area – only for their bodies to be found in their car them a few days later.

An FCDO spokesman said it was “supporting the family” and was “in contact with local authorities”.

It comes as a red “extreme danger” alert due to torrential rain has been issued for Barcelona today, with 180mm of rain expected to fall in 12 hours, according to national weather agency Aemet.

Speaking to Sky News, Ms O’Loughlin said she last spoke to her mother on Monday last week and a day later saw that her messages to Mr Turner were not being delivered on WhatsApp.

After seeing reports of flooding, she tried to contact her father and again got no response, before her nephew called Thursday to say her parents were missing.

Despite social media campaigns and calls to the British consulate, Renee Turner said it was on Saturday that they learned Mr and Mrs Turner had died.

“My sister and I both got a call to say they had been found in their car and unfortunately they had passed away,” she said.

Mrs O’Loughlin added: ‘We’re told they took petrol, as they do.

“Obviously they weren’t aware of how bad the area was and their friend said they were aware (the couple went out) that they used to talk all the time.

“And then they didn’t come home.”

Renee Turner insisted both Mr and Mrs Turner would have “undoubtedly” heeded flood warnings, but told Sky News “there was no alert”.

“My parents wouldn’t have been out,” she added. “We are so angry at the weakness of the Spanish authorities in this regard.

“It’s not just our mother and father (who died), there are hundreds of people, hundreds, and they need to be held accountable for this.”

In their home town of Burntwood, Staffordshire, Ms O’Loughlin said “everybody knows mum and dad”. As a child, she remembered people coming over when Ruth was baking.

She added that Mr Turner “was the clown – everyone loved dad… he made our childhood absolutely wonderful”, before saying that when they moved to Spain, “everyone knew them there”.

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Terry volunteered at a local dog rescue and adopted two kittens, Ms O’Loughlin said, who are now being looked after by friends of the couple in the area.

“We kind of knew (they were dead) because we knew our mum would have done anything to get those pets back,” Ms O’Loughlin added.

Both Renee Turner and Ms O’Loughlin wanted to move their parents back to England and the couple were expected to return home permanently soon.

“We had plans,” Ms O’Loughlin said. “Mum was desperate to get back. She’s a shopper, she missed Morrisons.

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“We were looking at getting a bigger house and moving mum and dad in with us. We could keep an eye on them, make sure they’re okay.

“The thought of it: My mother told me ‘it’s more than I could ever ask for.’

Foreign Secretary David Lammy expressed Britain’s condolences for X, saying: “The UK Government offers its sincere condolences to those affected by the tragic floods in Spain – our thoughts are with those who lost their lives, their families and all those affected. I have given the UK’s full support to my friend @jmalbares.”

Meanwhile, Catalonia’s local government warned of “continuous and torrential” rain in two regions today, saying people should avoid travel and stay away from streams and ravines.

Authorities told those nearby the “extreme danger” warning issued for the Barcelona region: “Do not travel unless absolutely necessary.”

Authorities also suspended rail services in northeastern Catalonia at the request of civil protection officials.