Streets turned into raging rivers and even an express train derailed, as the TV station RTVE and other media reported. There were initially no casualties, but a truck driver is missing in Valencia. The situation was particularly bad in the Mediterranean regions of Andalusia, Murcia and Valencia, which are very popular with holidaymakers.
180 liters of rain within 12 hours
In many places, streets, houses and fields were flooded. Farmers in particular report major damage. The storm was accompanied by a lot of rain, but also partly by hail and squalls with speeds of up to 80 kilometers per hour, as the weather service Aemet announced. In around twelve hours, up to 180 liters of water fell from the sky in some areas. In nine of the country’s 17 autonomous communities, severe weather warnings of levels three (yellow), two (orange) or one (red) were in effect at least until the evening.
Videos published by the media and online show how vehicles and trees were swept away like toys by the masses of water. In the Andalusian coastal town of El Ejido, not far from Almería, where the hail had struck particularly heavily on Tuesday night, fields and hundreds of vehicles were badly damaged. “The hailstones were as big as golf balls,” said farmer Mercedes González (46) to the newspaper “El País”. “It seemed like the end of the world.”
Motorways and country roads closed
In many places in the south and east of Spain, motorways and country roads had to be closed. Air and rail traffic was also affected. Classes were canceled at numerous schools and universities. Due to a rock slide, an AVE high-speed train traveling from Málaga to Madrid with 291 passengers on board came off the tracks near the municipality of Álora shortly after the start of the journey. The Spanish railway company Renfe said there were no injuries.
The storm with heavy rain had already hit Mallorca and the other Balearic islands on Monday. The situation there has now calmed down again, although the yellow severe weather warning was still in effect for some areas – including Mallorca. According to Aemet, the situation across Spain should not completely ease again until Thursday.
ePaper
**Interview with Meteorologist Dr. Elena Martinez on Recent Severe Weather in Spain**
**Editor:** Good morning, Dr. Martinez. Thank you for joining us today. We’ve seen some alarming reports regarding severe weather conditions across Spain, particularly in Andalusia, Murcia, and Valencia. Can you provide us with more context on what has been happening?
**Dr. Martinez:** Good morning. Yes, the situation over the last few days has been critical. We experienced an intense storm system that dumped up to 180 liters of rain in just 12 hours in some areas, accompanied by hail and strong winds. This sudden and extreme weather has caused rivers to overflow, leading to significant flooding.
**Editor:** We understand that the impact of the storm has been severe for both residents and farmers. Could you elaborate on the damage reported so far?
**Dr. Martinez:** Certainly. The flooding has resulted in substantial damage to homes, vehicles, and agricultural fields. Farmers have been particularly hard-hit, with reports of crops and equipment destroyed. In El Ejido, for example, hailstones as large as golf balls caused havoc, and many vehicles were swept away. It truly was a chaotic scene.
**Editor:** What measures have been taken by authorities to address these weather-related issues?
**Dr. Martinez:** Local authorities have closed multiple motorways and country roads to ensure public safety. We’ve seen cancellations of classes at schools and universities, and air and rail traffic disruptions as well. Emergency services are on high alert, and they are working hard to assist those affected by the storm.
**Editor:** Are there any ongoing concerns or forecasts regarding this weather system?
**Dr. Martinez:** Yes, although the situation has calmed in some areas, severe weather warnings are still in effect. Areas like Mallorca are still under watch, and there’s a chance of further rain. We recommend that residents stay informed and heed warnings from local meteorological services, as conditions can change rapidly.
**Editor:** One last question, Dr. Martinez. What do you believe is the long-term implication of such extreme weather events on Spain?
**Dr. Martinez:** We are seeing more frequent and intense storms, which many experts attribute to climate change. This has significant implications for infrastructure, agriculture, and emergency preparedness. As we move forward, it’s crucial for communities to adapt to these changing patterns and invest in resilient infrastructure to mitigate future risks.
**Editor:** Thank you for your insights, Dr. Martinez. Let’s hope for a swift recovery for those affected.
**Dr. Martinez:** Thank you.
