Storms bring heavy rain and hail to Alicante

Yellow alerts remain in place as authorities warn of flooding and landslides, as heavy rain and hail continue to affect roads and rivers

Alicante has been dealing with heavy rain and storms over the weekend, with the Vega Baja and Medio Vinalopó (central inland region of Alicante) regions seeing the worst of it. Some places recorded more than 50 litres of rain per square metre in a single day, and the local weather station in Algueña logged 55 mm, the most since it opened in 2024. Hail has added to the disruption in parts of the province, and rivers and streams in low-lying areas are dangerously full.

The State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) has kept a yellow alert for rain across much of the province, with storm warnings for inland and southern coastal areas. People have been warned to stay away from rivers, ravines, and low-lying roads, and to be careful if they need to travel.

The weather has caused a fair bit of disruption. Several secondary roads are flooded or blocked by landslides, and some metro lines have been temporarily closed, including parts of the network in central towns like Torrent and Paterna. Fire crews had to rescue seven people trapped in cars in Torrent, and precautionary evacuations were carried out in villages such as Benferri. Most residents have now returned home safely, but authorities continue to monitor the situation closely.

Northern Valencia has also seen heavy rain, with road closures, metro interruptions, and preventive evacuations of 38 people in La Pobla Llarga. So far, there have been no reported injuries in the wider region.

Forecasters say conditions should improve by Tuesday December 30, with no active rain alerts expected. Authorities are still urging caution as rivers and low-lying areas remain risky. For now, locals are hoping for a break in the weather so life can get back to normal.

Image: @phoradada