Severe hailstorm causes widespread damage in La Roda, Albacete, Spain

A severe hailstorm struck La Roda, Albacete Province in southeastern Spain at around 18:00 LT on June 15, 2025, bringing 70 mm (2.7 inches) of rainfall within 15 minutes and hailstones up to 4 cm (1.6 inches) in diameter. It is still ongoing as of June 16.

A violent hailstorm hit the municipality of La Roda in Albacete Province, southeastern Spain, leading to significant urban flooding, infrastructure damage, and widespread disruption.

According to the Spanish State Meteorological Agency (AEMET), approximately 70 mm (2.7 inches) of rainfall was recorded within 15 minutes, accompanied by hailstones 4 cm (1.6 inches) in diameter. The hailstones reached 7 cm (2.75 inches) in diameter on June 16 in some places in Spain.

Local authorities reported more than 30 emergency incidents during the storm. Residential homes, garages, and commercial premises were flooded, while fallen trees, debris, and collapsed walls obstructed roads and damaged vehicles.

Municipal infrastructure, including schools, sports centers, parks, and the town cemetery, suffered damage or required closure for safety assessments. In several zones, floodwaters accumulated rapidly, necessitating the use of heavy machinery to clear streets.

The mayor of La Roda, Juan Ramón Amores, announced that the municipality would seek official recognition as a “Zona Gravemente Afectada por una Emergencia de Protección Civil” (Zone Seriously Affected by a Civil Protection Emergency) to facilitate financial and logistical support from national authorities.

The Castilla-La Mancha regional government activated the METEOCAM plan in Operational Situation 0, following forecasts of up to 40 mm of rainfall in the Sierra de Alcaraz and Segura. Many agricultural crops, including cereals, vines, and almonds, were damaged. The region remained under a yellow warning for continued storms the following day.

The storm system also affected other municipalities in Albacete Province, including Villarrobledo and Villarrubio, and caused significant flooding in Arcos de la Sierra, Cuenca Province. Emergency services reported multiple rescues following the overflow of the Trabaque River, which reached widths exceeding 90 m (295 feet) in certain areas.

The first incident occurred at 23:50 LT at the Vadillo Bridge, where floodwaters reached over 40 m (131 feet) in width and several meters in depth, trapping a vehicle that was later extracted by local residents using a crane. Two additional individuals were rescued after becoming stranded in a rural structure, trapped by rising floodwaters and mud.

References:

¹ La Roda pedirá la declaración de Zona Gravemente Afectada por Emergencia tras la tormenta – Cadena SER – June 16, 2025

² Más de 30 incidencias en La Roda por el granizo: viviendas y garajes inundados, árboles arrasados y calles convertidas en ríos – Cadena SER – June 16, 2025

³ A hail trunk wreaks havoc in La Roda: flying roofs, streets like rivers and flooded garages – El Espanol – June 16, 2025

Reet Kaur

I’m a science journalist and researcher at The Watchers, contributing to the Epicenter edition, where I cover peer-reviewed scientific research and emerging discoveries across Earth and space sciences. With a background in astronomy and a passion for environmental science, I’ve worked in shark and coral conservation in Fiji, conducting reef and shark-behavior research, contributing to mangrove restoration, and earning PADI Open Water and Coral Reef Certifications. I bring a blend of scientific rigor and storytelling to illuminate the discoveries shaping our planet and beyond.

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