Storm Emilia produced heavy rainfall and thunderstorm activity along the east coast of Spain on December 14–15.

Vega Baja del Segura Impact

• Intense short-term rainfall was recorded in Vega Baja, with local measurements reaching ≈45–60 L/m² overnight/early morning; the source cites an example of about 45 L/m² for ~50 minutes according to MeteOrihuela (night of December 14–15).

• Lightning struck a palm tree in Callosa; a local publication confirms fire/damage from the lightning strike.

• Emergency services and volunteer groups carried out water pumping and local response work (including in Orihuela, Daya Nueva — local publications describe the intervention of firefighters/technical crews).

• Torrevieja: cancellation/suspension of Sunday events on December 14 due to inclement weather (official announcement on the city hall's social media).

• A number of Christmas markets and street events in Vega Baja were postponed or suspended; decisions were made at the municipal level overnight/early in the morning, in accordance with the AEMET forecast.

Consequences of the severe weather in the Valencian Community

On December 14 and 15, Storm Emilia caused significant rainfall and disruptions to public services in the Valencian Community. According to AEMET and national media, localized rainfall accumulations of over 100 liters per square meter in 12 hours during the storm's peak were recorded in certain coastal areas of the Province of Valencia, including the La Safor area and the coastal strip of the autonomous region's capital. The intense rainfall was accompanied by thunderstorm activity and led to flooding of streets and low-lying areas.

In several municipalities, emergency services pumped water and provided assistance to residents in flooded areas. Regional and national media reported numerous calls to firefighters and civil defense services related to flooded roads and localized traffic disruptions.

In response to the unfavorable forecast, municipal and regional authorities took preventative measures. In the city of Valencia, 35 schools were closed, including those in flood-risk areas and three provinces, while two public universities—the Universitat de València (UV) and the Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV)—suspended in-person classes for part of the day on December 15. In Vila-real (Castellón province), classes were completely suspended that same day, although emergency services were already conducting localized rescue operations.

According to regional education authorities, approximately 14 municipalities in the provinces of Valencia and Castellón announced temporary suspensions of educational activities, affecting approximately 78,000 students. In the city of Xàtiva, authorities officially suspended Christmas street events, including the traditional Belén; normal activities resumed on the morning of December 15 after the weather alert was downgraded. In Valencia itself, public spaces were closed and outdoor mass events were cancelled on December 14 due to orange and red alert levels.

The severe weather also affected the sporting and transport sectors. Several regional and national matches were postponed or were under threat of cancellation; in particular, the possible postponement of the Levante-Villarreal match was discussed. Individual mass events in other regions of Spain, including sporting competitions, were also cancelled or postponed due to the impact of the same weather system.

Official Warnings and Forecasts from Authorities (December 14-15, 2025)

AEMET issued yellow, orange, and red alert levels for various zones of the Valencian Community on December 14 and 15. A red alert was issued for coastal areas where the most intense rainfall and significant precipitation accumulations were forecast. Official forecasts indicated that rainfall could exceed 100 liters per square meter in 12 hours in some areas, and reach 150–180 liters per square meter during the storm's peak in the most vulnerable areas.

As part of the civil protection system, authorities used Es-Alert to send emergency mobile alerts to residents in several districts, warning of the risk of flooding and the need to take precautions. Municipalities and government agencies, through CECOPAL and ayuntamientos, made preventive decisions to suspend in-person classes, close parks, and cancel mass events, strictly following the recommendations of AEMET and civil protection services.

Transport operators, including Renfe, announced their readiness to implement special refund and transfer policies for passengers affected by weather alerts.