Briefing
The Spanish state weather agency has issued an orange alert for intense rainfall in parts of the Region of Murcia for Saturday, 17 October 2026. The areas specifically named include Campo de Cartagena and Mazarrón and the Valle del Guadalentín including the municipalities of Lorca and Águilas; according to official notices, the warning period generally runs from 08:00 to 23:59. Local rainfall rates of up to 30 litres per square metre in one hour are possible; over other periods, accumulated totals could reach up to 60 litres in twelve hours.
Other areas, including Vega del Segura, the Altiplano and the Noroeste, have also been placed under yellow alerts. Around 20 litres per square metre of rain per hour is expected there during the afternoon and evening; thunderstorms with isolated hail showers cannot be ruled out. The weather agency stresses that alert levels may be adjusted at short notice depending on forecast models and recommends checking the latest forecasts.
In response, the regional government has activated the pre-emergency stage (Preemergencia) of the regional civil protection flood plan, Plan Especial de Protección Civil ante el Riesgo de Inundaciones en la Región de Murcia (Plan Inunmur),. The president of the region, Fernando López Miras, called for “maximum caution” and advised against non-essential journeys, avoiding vulnerable underpasses and Rambla beds, and not parking vehicles in low-lying areas. Local authorities — including the city of Lorca, for example — have put municipal emergency plans on standby and are providing updates through emergency channels.
During intense showers, roads prone to flooding, small local watercourses and urban drainage points are particularly at risk, increasing the danger of flash floods. The authorities point to the Europe-wide emergency number 112 and recommend taking warnings seriously, enabling mobile phone alerts and keeping away from rapidly rising watercourses. AEMET and regional authorities will continue to monitor the situation throughout the day and update warnings if necessary.
Editor: Andreas M. Brucker (Article created with AI assistance).