No 1066 Monday 10th - Sunday 16th March 2025
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The Costa Blanca’s oldest ‘FREE’ English language newspaper - WITH THE LARGEST LOCAL CIRCULATION
The Torrevieja coast, winds exceeding 60km/h Image credit: Proyecto Mastral
ver the past week, the southern Costa Blanca and Mar Menor regions have experienced severe rainstorms, leading to widespread flooding, infrastructure damage, and environmental concerns, with some areas receiving over 100mm of rain in just 12 hours.
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This sudden deluge caused rivers to overflow and urban areas to flood, particularly affecting the provinces of Alicante and Murcia. The Region of Murcia faced significant challenges due to the storms. Tragically, a 50-year-old farmer lost his life after being swept away by floodwaters. Infrastructure suffered extensively, with roads and other structures in Lorca experiencing an estimated e15 million in damages. Weather stations in Cehegín recorded over 400 litres per square metre in the first six days of March, while towns like Bullas, Mula, Moratalla, and Caravaca de la Cruz each exceeded 300 litres in less than a week.
D E VA S TAT I O N A S T O R R E N T I A L R A I N S W R E A K H AV O C O N C O S TA B L A N C A A N D M A R M E N O R
Environmentalists are particularly concerned about the potential impact on the Mar Menor, as the overflowing of the Albujón rambla has carried green waste and sediment into the lagoon, heightening fears of another environmental crisis. In the southern Costa Blanca, there was significant flooding and infrastructural damage in several municipalities, including San Fulgencio, Guardamar del Segura, Torrevieja, Orihuela Costa, and Pilar de la Horadada. In Torrevieja, an intense downpour resulted in over 50 litres of rain per square metre within an hour. This sudden deluge caused severe flooding in areas including Playa de los Locos and the Doña Inés urbanisation. Firefighters were dispatched to rescue several drivers trapped in their vehicles, which had been swept away by the force of the water. Additionally, emergency services responded to incidents of water entering homes, necessitating drainage operations. Orihuela Costa also experienced substantial rainfall, with reports indicating approximately 70 litres per square meter. The heavy rains led to significant damage, including flooded homes and disrupted beach infrastructure, such as uprooted fountains and displaced waste bins. Several vehicles were also moved from their parking spots due to the water's force. Emergency services had to rescue a pregnant woman who became trapped in her car under a bridge in Playa Flamenca, where water levels reached over 1.5 metres. In response, the local police closed multiple streets to prevent further incidents.