Severe Flooding and Storms Ravage Eastern Spain: Rescues, Evacuations, and Fatalities Reported
Heavy rains and flooding across eastern Spain have caused evacuations, rescues, and fatalities, with emergency alerts active in multiple regions.
- • Severe flooding and hailstorms impact the east coast of Spain, especially Valencia and Alicante.
- • At least 38 residents evacuated in Valencia; elderly rescued by dinghy.
- • Aemet issued red and orange alerts due to heavy rainfall and river overflow risks.
- • One man found dead in River Fahala, with two missing persons reported in Malaga.
Key details
Severe weather has struck the east coast of Spain in late December 2025, causing widespread flooding, hailstorms, and dangerous conditions that have led to evacuations, rescues, and at least one fatality. The state meteorological agency Aemet issued red and orange alerts for multiple regions due to heavy rainfall and risks of river overflows.
In Valencia, emergency workers evacuated at least 38 residents, including elderly individuals with reduced mobility, in the Carcaixent neighborhood using dinghies. This area experienced dramatic flooding, with streets and vehicles submerged, while a hailstorm in Xeraco left streets covered in white powder. Authorities also evacuated residents in the Alicante neighborhood of Benferri amid ongoing heavy rains.
Further south in Malaga, the flooding has begun to subside with red alerts lifted by midday Sunday, but significant damage remains. The Guadalhorce River in Malaga reached a historic height of 5.80 meters, exceeding previous records. Cleanup efforts are underway, though orange-level warnings persist in other parts of the country.
Tragically, the body of a man was discovered in the River Fahala in Malaga, and searches continue for two additional missing individuals. This severe weather event has heightened concerns, especially following a devastating October 2024 storm in Spain that claimed over 200 lives.
The Segura River basin, covering areas like Murcia, Almeria, Granada, and Valencia, remains a major focus for authorities due to the risk of overflow and flash flooding. Torrential downpours reached as much as 65 liters of rain per square meter in just one hour in some regions. The regional government issued an ES-Alert emergency for residents of Beniel, warning of potential river overflow.
Government officials, including Pilar Bernabé, the delegate for the Valencian Community, have urged residents to exercise caution, avoid unnecessary travel, and remain vigilant as storms continue to move through the region.
With multiple floods, hailstorms, and rising river levels, the situation remains critical across eastern Spain as emergency services continue rescues and evacuations and residents brace for further severe weather.
This article was synthesized and translated from native language sources to provide English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
