Totana (Murcia). Image - Totana.es
Yesterday was a day that we will not easily forget. Rainfall of more than 120l / m2 has left many of the streets throughout the southeast of the peninsula and the Balearic Islands completely flooded. But not only the water became a problem, also the wind.
There were times when the strongest gusts blew at over 70km / h, which added to the heavy rains, turned what was going to be simply a cloudy Sunday, into a Sunday that many of us had to pick up the mop to remove the water that entered the house. These are the most impressive videos and photos that this rainy season left us.
What has caused this storm?
The atmospheric situation was as follows:
- At about 5500 meters of altitude, a DANA was formed on December 17, that is, what is known as a Cold Drop or an Isolated Depression at High Levels on the Mediterranean Sea, specifically towards North Africa. This means that in height there was a bag of colder air than the surrounding air was and with a lower pressure.
- In the southeast of the peninsula and in the Balearic Islands we have a low pressure system which attracts humid air due to the long maritime route shown by the east wind, thus forming a flow of humid air with a large quantity of precipitable water or, in other words, an atmospheric river. This river headed towards Valencia, Murcia, the eastern Almería and the Balearic Islands.
Thus, adding all these factors, favorable conditions have been created for them to fall by more than 120l / m2 in just a few hours at some points. Against this background, the AEMET issued an orange notice that is still in effect at the time of publishing this article.
Damage
In the Valencian Community, Murcia and the Balearic Islands, the rains were torrential and caused flooding. Many schools have been closed today for not being able to access them, and in Murcia more than 350 people have had to be rescued from vehicles and homes. In Almería, the heavy rains forced the activation of the Emergency Plan.
But, in addition to the floods, unfortunately we also have to talk about the deceased. This temporary has killed three people.
Photos and videos
Here are the photos and videos that the storm has left us:
Photos
Fully flooded street in Orihuela (Alicante).
Image - Morell
Two workers trying to unclog a manhole on Teniente Flomesta avenue, in Murcia. Image - EFE
The UME set up its base in Los Alcázares (Murcia), where many people had to be evicted.
Image - Felipe García Pagán
A truck in Los Alcázares, one of the most affected towns.
Image - Felipe García Pagán
Los Alcázares, flooded.
Image - Felipe García Pagán
Flooded road in Ses Salines (Mallorca), this morning.
Los Alcáceres is a town located in the Mar Menor region. The Segura river is far from there. I say it by the caption of the UME photo.
Corrected.