The arrival of a powerful thunderstorm has marked the beginning of the weekend in the Valencian Community, leaving in its wake Thousands of lightning strikes, torrential rains and numerous incidentsBoth the coastal avenue and various inland and northern regions have witnessed this phenomenon, which has forced the activation of emergency protocols and kept a large part of the population on edge due to the virulence of the electrical discharge and the intensity of the rainfall.
Weather records They have confirmed that this is one of the episodes of greatest electrical activity of the season, forcing the suspension of outdoor events, the evacuation of beaches, and the mobilization of emergency teams to avoid risky situations for residents and tourists.
Lightning balance and distribution by province
In just a few hours, the storm has left 2.705 lightning strikes in Valencian territory, according to data from the State Meteorological Agency (Aemet). Castellón was the hardest hit province, with 1.801 downloads, followed by Valencia with 688 and Alicante with 216. By regions, the Baix Maestrat was at the top with 510 rays, while in the Camp de Morvedre and High Flat 390 and 387 were recorded respectively. Alto Palancia also recorded a notable figure with 381 electrical impacts.
The situation led to Emergency Coordination Center of the Generalitat to declare the end of rain and storm alerts, although surveillance remained active throughout the day due to the high electrical risk and the possibility of further intense rainfall.
Consequences for the population: injuries and rescues
The violent storm was not just limited to figures. Among the most significant incidents was the accident suffered by a mother and her daughter in La Marina de València. Both had taken shelter under a tree from the storm, but a lightning struck them directlyThe 52-year-old woman went into cardiac arrest and was resuscitated on the spot by emergency services before being taken to hospital in a serious condition, while the 22-year-old woman suffered flash injuries and was later discharged.
The authorities have insisted on the Dangers of seeking shelter under trees during thunderstorms, as the consequences can be fatal even in brief episodes of intense discharge.
Fire departments from several cities and municipalities, especially in Castellón, have also had to intervene on multiple occasions due to vehicles trapped by water, rescues of people, pumping out flooded basements and garages, and removing objects from public roads.
Torrential rains, traffic suspensions and closures
Rainfall associated with the storm has exceeded 30 liters per square meter in just one hour In some places, the rainfall reached alarming levels in coastal and inland municipalities. In the urban area of Castelló, rainfall reached 84 liters at the Planetarium and 59 liters around Tetuán 14. These downpours caused localized flooding, complicating traffic and forcing the closure of access roads and tunnels in certain areas.
As a preventive measure, the Local Police of Valencia The government has evacuated beaches and restricted access to parks and green areas, in addition to suspending scheduled events for the July Fair, including concerts and Fallas celebrations, to avoid risks due to the continued electrical discharge and the danger of lightning strikes.
Emergency and citizen response device
From the early hours of the day, Emergency and civil protection services were deployed in the most affected areas, carrying out more than 50 interventions for incidents related to the rains and electrical activity. In addition to rescuing people from flooded vehicles, various pumping operations were carried out, removing dangerous objects, and assisting people indirectly affected by the storm.
The Generalitat Valenciana and the municipalities involved recommend in these cases to always take extreme care caution during thunderstorms, avoid unnecessary travel, and follow the instructions of law enforcement agencies while the alerts are in effect. Citizen collaboration has been essential to respond quickly to alerts and minimize personal and property damage.
The latest thunderstorm has left a significant mark on the Valencian Community: Thousands of lightning strikes, extraordinary rains, emergency rescues and the suspension of public activities, forcing us to remember the importance of respecting safety regulations in the face of this type of extreme weather phenomena.