Red weather alert issued for Murcia as storms bring intense rain
Aemet upgraded the warning to red for the Cartagena area of Murcia, forecasting up to 60 L/m² of rain in an hour and suspending schools.
A cold air mass over the Iberian Peninsula and the Balearic Islands generated strong thunderstorms, prompting Aemet to issue orange warnings for several eastern provinces early Thursday. By mid-morning the agency escalated the alert to red for the Campo de Cartagena and Mazarrón in Murcia, citing forecasts of 60 L per square metre of rain within an hour and labeling the danger as “extraordinary”. The red alert, active until noon, forced the suspension of school activities and the closure of elderly care facilities, while mayor Noelia Arroyo directed municipal emergency teams.
Yellow warnings persist in parts of Albacete, Alicante, Almería, Valencia and the Balearics, and lighter rain is expected elsewhere on the peninsula and in the Cantabrian region. Winds will be moderate to strong, with especially strong gusts in exposed coastal zones.
Why it matters
Heavy rain and flash flooding can endanger lives and disrupt services, so residents must follow safety directives.
How this story developed
- Sep 16 Search launched for woman swept away by floodwaters in Olivella, Barcelona
- Sep 17 Rescuers later discovered a man's body in the flood‑affected area of Olivella.
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