Flooded streets in Castellon and Orihuela as red rain warning holds until midday

Flooded streets and homes are appearing across Castellon and Orihuela as torrential rain continues, with a red rain warning in effect until midday. Firefighters responded to around 20 calls for flooding in Tortosa, particularly in the city center and Santa Barbara, as well as in the Baix Ebre region, with streets turning into rivers and main roads cut off.

More than 100mm of rain fell in the area since Thursday night, triggering sudden rises in barrancos feeding the Ebro river. Around 4,300 customers lost power in Baix Ebre. The Ebro river authority warned of potential fatal conditions, while civil protection reported no serious incidents yet. In Castellon, firefighters also pumped water from homes in Oropesa and Santa Magdalena de Polpis, with Santa Magdalena recording 90 litres per square metre.

AEMET, the regional meteorological service, warned of local flooding along the northern Castellon coast, where storms were not moving inland. Valencia province saw fewer incidents overnight, with 27 rain-related incidents recorded by the emergency service by midnight. The flood plan was raised to emergency situation 0 in both Castellon and Valencia.

Weather alerts remain in effect until midnight along the southern Tarragona coast, the pre-coast, and the Castellon coast, with orange warnings covering inland Castellon and parts of Alicante, Murcia, Andalucia, Ibiza, and Formentera. Mallorca faces a yellow warning for heavy rain. Rain is expected to ease after midday but could remain strong this afternoon, with hail possible in southeast Spain and the Balearic Islands.