As the first wave of heavy rains eases in Malaga province, where red-level alerts ended midday Sunday after a night of intense flooding, the storm system has shifted eastward, raising serious concerns across Murcia, Almeria, Granada, and Valencia. Authorities are pressing residents to keep vigilant while there are ongoing orange-level warnings and the growing risk of river overflows and flash floods.
In Murcia, the Segura River basin remains the focal point of concern. The regional government issued an ES-Alert emergency message to residents of Beniel warning of potential overflow from the Azarbe del Merancho channel, located between the channel and the Segura River. The risk affects northern areas of Beniel and Santomera, extending toward Orihuela. Regional President Fernando López Miras has told citizens to avoid the area and follow updates from official emergency channels.
AEMET red alerts in the southeast of Spain
The Vega del Segura was under red alert for much of Sunday morning due to torrential downpours, with some areas recording up to 65 litres per square metre in a single hour. Towns including Fortuna, Abanilla, Santomera, Murcia City, and Beniel experienced the heaviest storms, leading to street flooding and overflowing ramblas.
Orange alerts for the south
Orange alerts continue along the coasts of Almeria and Granada, where minor overflows have already occurred in Vera and the Los Velez region. In Valencia, the entire province continues on orange alert as two powerful storm cells track across the region. One intense system is moving diagonally through Valencia province from Barxeta and Simat, passing through Carcaixent, Guadassuar, and Carlet, before reaching the Hoya de Buñol and Plana de Utiel. Government Delegate Pilar Bernabé stressed particular concern for the Vega Baja del Segura and parts of Alicante, as well as intense rain and hail affecting the La Safor and La Ribera areas. She warned of possible sudden rises in the usual rain runoff points later in the day as the mass of water runs down from the mountains, calling for caution and limiting non-vital travel.
Malaga region expecting more storms
In Malaga Province, the hardest-hit area overnight, 130 litres per square metre were recorded in Fahala (a tributary of the Guadalhorce River) over 12 hours. The Guadalhorce itself saw a historic rise, reaching 5.80 metres in Cartama, exceeding the previous record of 5.52 metres set earlier in the year in March, with flows surpassing 1,000 cubic metres per second. In Cartama, cleanup efforts continue involving firefighters, civil protection, and local crews. Mayor Jorge Gallardo described the event as “once again very rapid”, with teams assisting residents in flooded homes and businesses. More storms are predicted for Sunday and Monday.
With the storm progressing eastward, authorities cannot stress the danger of flash flooding in vulnerable riverbeds and low-lying areas enough. Residents are advised to stay informed through official sources, avoid flood-prone zones, and prepare for potential sudden water rises and possible evacuation.