In the wake of exceptional thunderstorms, the Moroccan coastal city of Safi has been left reeling after devastating flash floods claimed the lives of at least 37 people, according to Moroccan authorities. The disaster, which struck suddenly on the evening of December 14, 2025, is being called the deadliest severe weather event Morocco has seen in over a decade. As search and rescue operations continued into Monday, the scale of the tragedy has become increasingly clear, with officials and residents alike grappling with the aftermath and the broader implications of a changing climate.
The Safi Governorate issued a somber statement late Sunday, confirming the rising death toll and detailing the extraordinary circumstances that led to the disaster. “Exceptional thunderstorms that hit the city on Sunday evening [December 14, 2025], triggered massive floods within a short period of time,” the statement read. The rainfall, which poured down in torrents for about an hour, unleashed powerful floodwaters that swept through homes and businesses, leaving destruction in their wake. Morocco’s state news agency, citing local officials, reported that the intensity and brevity of the storm caught many off guard, inundating entire neighborhoods and overwhelming local infrastructure.
As of December 15, 2025, search and rescue teams were still combing through the affected areas, working tirelessly to locate survivors and recover bodies. The Safi Governorate emphasized that “necessary measures have been taken to secure the affected areas and provide support to residents,” and that efforts to assist those displaced or injured by the flooding remain ongoing. The immediate priority, officials said, is to ensure the safety of residents and to prevent further loss of life as recovery operations continue.
The human toll of the disaster extends beyond the lives lost. At least 20 people were reported injured, with 14 of them receiving treatment at the government-run Mohammed V Hospital in Safi as of Monday. Two of those patients remained in intensive care, according to local authorities. The hospital has become a focal point for both medical care and community support, with staff working around the clock to treat injuries ranging from fractures and lacerations to more serious trauma caused by the violent floodwaters.
Images and videos circulating on social media have captured the terrifying force of the deluge. One widely shared clip shows a torrent of muddy water sweeping away cars and rubbish bins, transforming Safi’s familiar streets into rivers of debris. The city, which sits about 300 kilometers south of the capital Rabat, is no stranger to seasonal storms, but the speed and severity of this event have left many residents in shock. “I have never seen anything like this,” one local resident said, surveying the damage to his neighborhood. “The water came so fast, we barely had time to react.”
Officials and meteorologists have pointed to climate change as a key factor behind the increasing frequency and intensity of such extreme weather events in Morocco. The General Directorate of Meteorology (DGM) reported that 2024 was Morocco’s hottest year on record, accompanied by an average rainfall deficit of -24.7%. This combination of higher temperatures and erratic rainfall patterns has disrupted the country’s traditional climate rhythms, with autumns that once brought a gradual cooling now marked by unpredictable and sometimes violent storms.
“Climate change has affected weather patterns and made storms more intense because a warmer atmosphere holds more moisture and warmer seas can turbocharge the systems,” the DGM explained. The science is clear: as the planet warms, the atmosphere’s capacity to retain water vapor increases, setting the stage for heavier downpours when storms do form. In coastal regions like Safi, where the Atlantic Ocean’s influence is strong, rising sea surface temperatures provide additional energy for storm systems, making events like this weekend’s flash flood more likely—and more destructive.
The impact of these changes is not limited to Safi. Across Morocco, communities have been forced to adapt to new climate realities, from prolonged droughts to sudden, catastrophic flooding. The memory of past tragedies looms large; flash floods killed hundreds in Morocco in 1995, a disaster that prompted investments in flood defenses and early warning systems. Yet, as the Safi floods have starkly demonstrated, even the best preparations can be overwhelmed by the sheer force of nature when conditions align.
For many, the events in Safi have reignited urgent conversations about climate resilience and disaster preparedness. Local officials have called for renewed efforts to strengthen infrastructure, improve drainage systems, and invest in community education about flood risks. “We must learn from this tragedy and ensure our cities are better equipped to handle such emergencies in the future,” a municipal spokesperson said. The government has pledged to review its emergency response protocols and to provide additional resources to the hardest-hit areas.
Meanwhile, humanitarian organizations and volunteers have mobilized to support those affected by the disaster. Temporary shelters have been set up for families displaced by the floods, and donations of food, clothing, and medical supplies have begun to pour in from across the country. The sense of solidarity is palpable, with neighbors helping one another clear debris and salvage belongings from waterlogged homes.
The psychological toll of the disaster is also coming into focus. Many residents, especially those who lost loved ones or saw their homes destroyed, are grappling with grief and uncertainty about the future. Mental health professionals have been dispatched to Safi to provide counseling and support, recognizing that recovery will require not just physical rebuilding, but emotional healing as well.
As the city of Safi begins the long process of recovery, questions linger about what more can be done to protect vulnerable communities from the growing threat of extreme weather. The floods have served as a stark reminder that climate change is not a distant or abstract problem—it is a present and pressing reality, reshaping lives and landscapes in real time. Policymakers, scientists, and citizens alike are being called to action, urged to confront the challenges of a warming world with urgency and resolve.
The story of Safi’s floods is, in many ways, a microcosm of the broader struggle facing communities around the globe. As the waters recede and the work of rebuilding begins, the hope is that lessons learned from this tragedy will inspire lasting change—not only in Morocco, but wherever the forces of nature and climate collide.