Date Published: 18/01/2023

ARCHIVED - Murcia Region once again hottest place in Spain, but strong winds cause nearly 100 accidents

ARCHIVED ARTICLE -

Águilas, Mazarrón and San Javier have all come in the top 10 hottest places this Tuesday, but there were also 100 calls to emergency services for wind-related incidents

<span style='color:#780948'>ARCHIVED</span> - Murcia Region once again hottest place in Spain, but strong winds cause nearly 100 accidents

While Storms Fien and Gerard bombard swathes of Spain with snow, the Region of Murcia has once again found itself taking five spots in the State Meteorological Agency’s top 10 list of the hottest places in Spain, with temperatures in excess of 23ºC on the sixth anniversary of the largest snowstorm in living memory.

In first place was Águilas, with highs registered of 23.8ºC. Second place went to Vallehermoso in Tenerife, in the Canary Islands, but the third, fourth, fifth and ninth spots were all occupied by Murcia localities, while tenth place went to Garrucha in neighbouring Almeria province.

However, Aemet has warned that maximum temperatures as of today, Wednesday January 18, will decrease notably in the Region of Murcia (between 6 and 8ºC) in some localities, as well as in the rest of Spain.

Las #Temperaturas máximas mañana descenderán en la #RegiondeMurcia de forma notable (entre 6 y 8 ºC) en algunas localidades pic.twitter.com/4IAmPf7nG3
— AEMET_Murcia (@AEMET_Murcia) January 17, 2023

At the same time as it was experiencing unusually high temperatures, the Region was also on alert for gale force 7 winds, and between midnight on Tuesday and 8pm, the Emergency Coordination Centre 1-1-2 received a total of 107 calls, relating to 83 separate wind-related issues.

Most of the calls were due to falling objects and obstacles on the road, with most of the incidents occurring in Murcia city (24), Lorca (10) and Cartagena (8).

Wind speeds reached up to 90kmh in some areas, such as the higher districts of Lorca, where the wind <span style='color:#780948'>ARCHIVED</span> - Murcia Region once again hottest place in Spain, but strong winds cause nearly 100 accidents

knocked down a tree on the N-332 national road near Ramonete. A branch also collapsed in the Lugarico area in La Rivera and some loose metal sheets had to be secured at risk of falling on the Camino Viejo del Puerto.

The storm was also felt strongly in the Altiplano area, where the emergency services had to intervene in numerous incidents involving falling branches, fences, furniture and power lines. The most significant incidents were recorded on the Yecla regional roads, with lanes cut off due to branches falling as a result of the intensity of the wind.

The fire brigade, the Yecla Local Police and the municipal technical services of the Town Council worked in coordination to attend to the problems generated on the public highway and minimise the damage.

In Jumilla, a large tree collapsed in the Caracol garden, which is undergoing comprehensive renovation work. The tree fell on the fencing installed for the work in progress, but fortunately didn’t leave any personal injuries. The local police cordoned off the area to protect passers-by.

The yellow warning has been extended into this Wednesday along the coast of Murcia around Cartagena, and in the northern areas, where gusts of up to 70kmh are expected.

In the event of strong winds, the authorities recommend removing from windows and terraces anything that could fall or blow away. If you are driving, slow down, hold the steering wheel tightly and pay close attention to possible obstacles on the road. In coastal areas, avoid going near the shore.

Images: Aemet & 112 Emergencias Región de Murcia

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