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IN PHOTOS: Winds continue to cause destruction across the Region of Murcia as speeds top 100kmh
Hundreds of incidents have been reported this Saturday, with one man even losing his life after falling into a swollen river
The Spanish State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) had warned that powerful winds would sweep across the Region this Saturday February 14, placing almost the entire Region of Murcia under an orange alert. Only Campo de Cartagena and Mazarrón remained under a yellow warning, but it was still enough to cause hundreds of incidents.
Gusts tore through towns and cities across the Region, uprooting trees, ripping cladding from buildings and scattering debris across roads. In Murcia city, sheet metal façades were dislodged and large branches were sent flying over the asphalt, creating hazardous conditions for pedestrians and drivers.
The strongest gust was recorded in Yecla, where winds reached 102 kilometres per hour at around 7.50am. Damage was reported to several building fronts and roads were closed, with some witnesses saying trees were uprooted on the slopes of the hill leading up to the castle.Other municipalities also recorded severe gusts. Caravaca de la Cruz, Zarcilla de Ramos, Cabo de Palos and Totana all exceeded 90kmh, while Lorca, Jumilla, Cartagena and Molina de Segura were among those surpassing 70kmh.
Emergency teams stretched to the limit
Between 8am and 6pm, the Regional Emergency Coordination Centre handled no fewer than 822 calls linked to the strong winds, most concerning obstacles on roads and landslides. In Murcia city alone, 133 wind-related callouts were recorded.
Firefighters, reinforced by more than 21 additional personnel while the orange alert remained in force, inspected wiring and unstable façades, particularly in Santa María de Gracia, while in the Infante neighbourhood, a lamp post fell over, narrowly missing a girl waiting at a pedestrian crossing, and a tree came down between two parked cars on Calle Rubén Darío. In Beniaján, a trampoline was blown along Monteazahar Avenue, striking vehicles before residents cleared it.
In Cehegín, local police confirmed that “the wind has caused several incidents in the town over the last few hours”, including road closures due to fallen trees and landslides. In Rincón de Beniscornia, a large tree fell into the middle of a road, though no injuries were reported.In Cartagena, a huge cactus inside the Cartagena Arsenal was knocked down by strong gusts. No one was injured, but the Plaza de Armas was cordoned off as a precaution.
In Mazarrón, parts of building façades fell to the ground, a roof section was torn away and power lines were brought down, prompting temporary road closures.
Traffic was also affected outside the Region. The Guardia Civil closed sections of the A-33 Northwest Highway in areas of Albacete and Valencia because of the danger to vehicles. On the RM-714 between Jumilla and Yecla, the second trailer of a lorry overturned around midday, although the driver escaped unharmed.
Most tragically of all, a 63-year-old man died after falling into the river in Molina de Segura during the early hours. Initial reports indicate he was swept away by the increased flow of the Segura River following scheduled dam releases, while he was watching the spectacle. The investigation is ongoing, of course, but the leading theory is that it was just a terrible accident.
Forecast for the days ahead
As always when it’s this windy, authorities have stressed the importance of exercising extreme caution, particularly when there is an orange alert.
Residents are advised to close windows and doors, remove or secure flowerpots and loose objects, retract awnings and avoid walking beneath trees, cornices, lampposts, cranes or other structures that may be destabilised.
Drivers should reduce their speed, hold the steering wheel firmly, exercise caution when overtaking and maintain a safe distance from other vehicles. Police have also recommended limiting car travel where possible.
There is some relief in sight. Forecasts indicate that the wind will subside substantially by Monday, when temperatures are expected to climb up to a mind-boggling 30 degrees Celsius, bringing calmer and warmer conditions to the Region.
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Images: Ayuntamiento de Murcia/Policía Local de Mazarrón/Policía Local de Murcia
