Footage circulating on social media has captured the moment giant waterspouts spiralled off the coast of a popular tourist spot in southern Spain, as violent storms swept through the region ahead of the summer holidays. Several marine tornadoes appeared offshore, with witnesses reporting at least three waterspouts stretching from dark storm clouds down towards the Mediterranean Sea.
Flash Floods and Travel Chaos
Torrential rain triggered flash flooding on roads in parts of Murcia, where cars were seen floating in deep floodwater as downpours battered the area. Spain’s state weather agency AEMET reiterated severe weather warnings across Campo de Cartagena, issuing a yellow alert for thunderstorms with possible hail and powerful gusts of wind. An orange alert remained in place for torrential rain, with forecasters predicting up to 40mm of rainfall within a single hour.
Waterspout Danger
A waterspout is a rotating column of air that forms over water and can cause destructive wind gusts. In extreme cases, winds can reach up to 250km/h. The conditions are part of a wider storm system hitting eastern and southern parts of the country after weeks of warm weather. Meteorologists have warned of downpours, electrical storms, and rapidly changing conditions across the region.
Recent Storm History
This intense weather comes weeks after storms hit Spain in March, killing one person. More than 250 litres of rain per square metre were recorded in some regions, causing rivers to surge to dangerous levels. Trains were cancelled, schools closed, and mass evacuations carried out after Storm Leonardo dumped over 15 inches of rain in 24 hours. In neighbouring Portugal, Storm Leonardo also claimed a life and forced thousands from their homes.
