Storm Emilia leaves flooding, mudslides and more on Murcia roads
Totana, Mula, Pliego and Alhama de Murcia were the municipalities most affected by this weekend’s rain
This Sunday December 14, Storm Emilia – one of those ones big enough to be worthy of receiving its own name – dumped huge amounts of rain on pretty much every corner of the Region of Murcia, especially in the western half, where the State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) activated an orange alert for rain and storms.
According to data collected by the Segura Hydrographic Confederation (CHS), the municipalities that got the most rainfall today were Totana (77mm), Pliego (67mm), Alhama de Murcia (61mm) and Mula (55mm).
In the northwestern area, the Ayuntamiento de Cehegín, Civil Protection and Local Police cut off access to the Quípar River. Civil Protection in Mula also reported that the river overflowed at the Curtis Bridge on the RM-C20 road, preventing traffic from passing.
Several roads were affected by Storm Emilia, with waterlogging, rockfalls, mudslides and wayward scrub bushes sweeping across the tarmac being the main culprits.
The 112 Emergency Services reported complications on the following roads:
- RM-23: Alhama de Murcia-Mazarrón
- RM-2: Alhama de Murcia-Cartagena
- RM-603: Alhama de Murcia-El Palmar (Murcia)
- RM-515: Alhama de Murcia-Mula
- RM-714: Jumilla-Venta del Olivo-Calasparra-Caravaca de la Cruz
Most of the incidents reported to 112 involved traffic accidents (21 calls), water removal from homes or premises (16 calls), rescues (14 calls) and obstacles on the road that hindered traffic (25 calls).
By municipality, Alhama de Murcia had the highest number of calls (42), followed by Murcia (21), Las Torres de Cotillas (8) and Totana (8).
The Region of Murcia’s Firefighting and Rescue Consortium has reinforced the Alhama de Murcia station to deal with water pumping and similar incidents.
Advice for road use in adverse weather
If you absolutely must use your car, it is recommended that you reduce your speed, take extreme precautions and do not stop in areas where large amounts of water may flow.
In the event of sudden storms and heavy rain, you should take into account where you park your vehicle.
The rapid rise in water levels can damage vehicles parked in flood-prone areas and even sweep them away, as has been seen on too many occasions in this region.
If it starts to rain heavily, there is a risk of flooding.
“Do not drive or walk through flooded areas, as you do not know what may be under the water, and locate the highest points in the area,” say Civil Protection authorities.
>>> Follow our Murcia Weather Watch Facebook group for more weather updates or see our Weather & Climate page <<<
Image: Ayuntamiento de Totana
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