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The Region of Murcia was among the worst-hit areas as torrential rain swept across large parts of eastern Spain on Wednesday September 9, with the city itself recording one of its ten most intense September downpours since records began in 1990.

 

The storm didn't just affect the Region of Murcia. The Valencian Community, Catalonia and the Balearic Islands were also battered by torrential rain, with flooding and major disruption reported across several areas.

 

In Mallorca, the storm had a tragic outcome when a woman died after slipping on her way to work and becoming trapped beneath a car in floodwater. The water was reportedly only around 30 centimetres deep, highlighting just how quickly even relatively shallow floodwater can become dangerous.

 

In Murcia, data from rain gauges operated by the Segura River Basin Authority (CHS) and Spain's State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) show that Wednesday's rainfall was particularly intense.

 

Only nine September rainfall events in the city have been more intense since 1990, with the last one occurring in 2022. That storm caused devastating flash flooding and claimed the life of a resident of Javalí Viejo.

 

Aemet's regional delegate Juan Esteban Palenzuela explained that Wednesday's rainfall reached the levels required for an orange weather warning.

 

Between 35 and 40 litres of rain per square metre fell during the most intense period, according to measuring stations in La Fica and Guadalupe. An orange warning for heavy rain is issued when rainfall reaches between 30 and 60 litres per square metre in an hour.

 

However, Mr Palenzuela pointed out that the amount of rain alone doesn't determine how severe the consequences will be. Where the rain falls and how quickly it arrives can make a huge difference, meaning it's difficult to directly compare different storms.

 

The downpour caused widespread flooding in Murcia city, with streets, shops and garages inundated.

 

Aguas de Murcia has confirmed that cleaning work on storm drains had been stepped up in recent weeks, but warned that the amount of leaves and other debris swept along by the storm could cause them to become blocked again.

 

 

Image: Ayuntamiento de Murcia