Storm Alice prompts evacuations and damage in Cartagena

Storm Alice brought heavy rainfall to the Region of Murcia, prompting emergency responses in Cartagena and neighbouring coastal towns. After a difficult night, forecasts improved and the request for the Military Emergency Unit (UME) to operate in Los Alcázares was cancelled following a meeting between regional president Fernando López-Miras and his government.

The State Meteorological Agency kept a yellow alert until 20:00 for Campo de Cartagena and Mazarrón, while the rest of the region was left without warnings. The regional emergency coordination centre (1-1-2) recorded 806 incidents related to the episode, mainly water extractions from properties (155), rescues (106) and public inquiries (169).

Local authorities ordered preventive evacuations in areas including Villas Caravaning, Bahía Bella and Algameca Chica, and dozens of people were accommodated in reception points such as the Cabezo Beaza sports hall. Around one hundred people required temporary shelter while access and safety of homes were inspected.

Fire and rescue teams carried out multiple overnight operations, notably in Los Nietos, where four units and about twenty firefighters assisted roughly ten people. Crews also evacuated an elderly resident in Cala Reona, freed a motorist trapped in El Beal and attended a roof collapse in Los Dolores with no injuries reported.

Recovery operations

Municipal brigades for Infrastructure, Cleaning, Coast and Sanitation, together with concession companies, began clearing debris, mud and repairing streets in El Algar, Los Nietos and La Manga. Water company Hidrogea worked on a pipeline fault near Plaza Bohemia and a damaged pontoon in Playa Honda was removed for repair.

Recorded rainfall totals were significant in several locations: 195.4 l/m² in Playa Honda, 191.8 in Lengua de Vaca, 170.8 in La Gola and 161.7 in Cabo de Palos, with more than 100 l/m² in El Algar, El Carmolí and Alumbres. Authorities urged caution, avoidance of unnecessary travel and warned against crossing flows with vehicles as recovery efforts continue.