Heavy rains in Spain have wreaked havoc, primarily through the southern region of Andalusia, where the ongoing effects of Storm Laurence have left numerous communities grappling with catastrophic flooding and other damages. As of March 19, 2025, reports confirm at least one death and multiple individuals missing as the storm continues its devastating path.
In the city of Seville, the situation has turned dire as authorities search for a couple swept away by rising waters in the municipality of Constantina. Tragically, rescue teams have discovered a body near their car, but it remains unclear whether it belongs to one of the two missing individuals. Meanwhile, in Córdoba, a cyclist who ventured out during the storm has also gone missing as of March 17, 2025.
The storms caused the Guadalhorce and Campanillas rivers near Málaga to overflow, leading to widespread evacuations in affected neighborhoods including Cártama and Málaga. Notably, Coín has recorded 55.4 mm of rain, the highest precipitation in Spain during this storm. This deluge has prompted the closure of numerous roads, including a significant 32-kilometer segment of the Seville-Cádiz highway, which has become impassable. Around 370 homes faced evacuation as precautionary measures were taken in the wake of the flooding.
In the region of Murcia, the adverse weather conditions have caused multiple car accidents, among them a bus overturning on the A-7 highway, resulting in injuries to passengers. The overall emergency response has been significantly challenged, with the Spanish meteorological agency, Aemet, issuing urgent alerts across various regions. Specifically, a yellow alert has been put in place for heavy rainfall in municipalities such as Murcia, Alicante, and Valencia, warning of possible accumulations of up to 60 mm in just 12 hours and extreme conditions on the northern coast of Valencia.
On March 19, 2025, Aemet announced an orange alert for severe weather, advising communities to remain vigilant. This comes as the center of Storm Laurence has made its way through the Iberian Peninsula, with various regions experiencing heavy snowfall at elevations between 1400 and 1800 meters, alongside rains down south. The storm isn’t anticipated to let up anytime soon, as meteorologists forewarn the arrival of Storm Martinho on March 20, 2025, heralding further heavy rains and strong winds.
As authorities in Spain prepare for increased risks, preparation measures are also set for Italy, with Storm Laurence predicted to move in that direction and arrive over the weekend of March 22-23, 2025. Following a temporary ridge of high pressure, which forecast conditions to stabilize momentarily on March 20, showers are expected to hit northwestern Italy on March 21, broadening across the central-northern regions by March 22-23. Intense rainfall is anticipated especially in Liguria, with scattered showers also forecasted for Lombardy, Piedmont, and Triveneto, in addition to significant snowfall over the Alps.
Aside from these expected treatments, anomalous heat is likely to blanket southern Italy due to Sirocco winds. The storms in Spain serve as a grim oppressor as the meteorological dynamics begin to shift toward Italy, indicating the persistent and unpredictable nature of this ongoing weather system.
The fallout from these storms is a sobering reminder of the potential dangers posed by severe weather events and their significant impacts on local communities. Both Spain and Italy brace for another round of inclement weather as the atmospheric conditions remain unstable and volatile.
