AROUND 70 residents in Murcia were rescued by emergency services last night as DANA Alice brought torrential rainfall to Spain’s eastern coast – one year since catastrophic floods killed more than 200 people in Valencia.
Footage posted on social media from San Javier and Los Alcazares in south-east Spain show roads and residential streets turned into fast-flowing rivers after heavy rain struck overnight and overwhelmed nearby ravines.
READ MORE: Heavy rain to continue through the weekend with orange alert for Valencia region on Saturday
In response, Murcia’s president has requested deployment of Spain’s Emergency Military Unit (UME) to the region and upgraded the regional flood emergency plan to level 2 – allowing state support.
Several roads and highways remain blocked, including the RM-12, RM-19 and RM-F33.
The slow-moving storm has already struck further north on the Costa Blanca in Alicante and Elche.
Several flights heading to Alicante-Elche airport on Friday were diverted, according to operator Aena.
READ MORE: Massive rainfall causes evacuation of Mar Menor homes and campsite in case of flooding
A red weather alert from state weather agency Aemet came into effect on Friday morning until Saturday warning of flash floods amid heavy and persistent rainfall.
Warnings are now in place for Valencia and the Balearic Islands.
READ MORE: Valencia Day celebrations are cancelled or postponed due to DANA Alice
An orange weather alert will remain active over the weekend for those areas – with some places forecast to receive 100mm of rainfall in just four hours.
Over the next few days as much as 250-300mm of rain is possible in some locations, with locals and tourists urged to stay alert and avoid flood-prone areas.
READ MORE: WATCH: Flood clear up continues after Ibiza clocks up record day of rainfall
No fatalities have been reported, according to El País.
On Friday, a tornado was reported in Cartagena, Murcia, sparking mass evacuations – including holidaymakers in local caravan parks.
Click here to read more Spain News from The Olive Press.
