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Date Published: 31/05/2023

Flash flooding and destructive hailstorms continue in Murcia

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The entire Region of Murcia is on alert for storms and heavy rainfall again this Wednesday

Flash flooding and destructive hailstorms continue in Murcia

The storms in the Region of Murcia continue unabated, and are causing yet more damage to streets, properties and farmers’ crops, especially in central Murcia and Lorca.

The Region was on orange alert yesterday, Tuesday May 30, for rainfall of 30 litres per square metre in one hour, and is on yellow alert today until 10pm. The rain is expected to ease off later in the week, but not stop.

Murcia’s Emergency Coordination Centre 112 registered more than 70 calls up to 8pm yesterday, related to 68 incidents caused by the storm. Most of the calls (29) were about the presence of obstacles on the roads, and there were also nine requests for help with water drainage problems.

The majority of the calls came from the city of Murcia, followed by Alcantarilla, Lorca and Molina de Segura.

In Murcia capital, the Rambla de Churra overflowed and the area was closed to traffic, as were many other roads across the municipality.

🌧️🚨 Debido a las fuertes lluvias en #Murcia , se ha establecido vigilancia especial en la zona.
En este momento, la Rambla de Churra se encuentra cerrada al tráfico como medida preventiva.

La seguridad de todos es nuestra prioridad. pic.twitter.com/491qTv2E9y
— Policía Local Murcia (@MurciaPolicia) May 30, 2023

In the Lorca districts of Tercia, La Hoya and the area of La Condomina, fearsome hailstorms left heavy damages to crops, with the president of the local farmers’ association COAG, Plácido Pérez Chuecos, saying the storm had “wiped out hundreds of hectares” of watermelon plants.

Other incidents that occurred in Lorca due to the heavy rains and hailstorms include the rescue of people from two separate vehicles which became trapped in floods, a wall collapsing, and a tree falling over and blocking the Carratera de la Malvaloca, among many others.

In Molina de Segura, which was the site of terrible flooding last week, too, videos have emerged online of streets in the town centre turning into veritable rivers in a matter of just seconds due to flash flooding.

¿Han visto alguna vez un #flashflood o inundación relámpago en pleno casco urbano? Esta tarde (30/05/2023), en #MolinaDeSegura (#Murcia), calles como ríos en un abrir y cerrar de ojos. Pésima ordenación del territorio. Vídeo: @PRguezL. pic.twitter.com/wQc4Z7WQIU
— MeteOrihuela (@MeteOrihuela) May 30, 2023

As always when there is heavy rain and a chance of flooding, authorities are advising that people not drive unless absolutely necessary, but that if they must then they slow down, increase the distance between themselves and other vehicles, and not park or drive in flood-prone areas.

Now read this: Here’s what experts say you should do if your car is caught in a flood in Spain

Image 1: Policía Local Molina de Segura

Image 2: Partido Popular Lorca

Image 3: Servicio de Emergencias y Protección Civil Lorca

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