Calasparra had a lucky escape last night as thunderstorms thrashed the region of Murcia last night destroying crops and flooding buildings and roads although a lightening strike did cause a forest fire on the Calasparra to Socovos Road.
The lightening set the trees alight around 6pm last night but the persistent rain soon doused the flames and the fire brigade was able to return to Caravaca del Cruz.
In other parts of the region the thunderstorms caused considerable damage and hailstones of 3 centimetres in diameter fell in Bullas town centre and in the north and south east parts of Yecla. As yet the damage to the grape harvest have not been assessed but as the fruit was approaching maturity and an early harvest the cost is likely to be high.
Lightening also caused two fires in Jumilla, in the Molar and the Pico.
Avila, a village near Lorca, seems to have suffered the worst of the weather reporting that, for the third year running, the greater part of their fruit and vegetables have been destroyed by hailstones.
Local residents reports that hailstones “as big as eggs” fell for over half an hour wiping out the harvest of almonds, grape and vegetables in half an hour.
On average 17 litres of rain fell per square metre in the North East of Murcia last night.
No rain is predicted for today, Tuesday, although it is likely to be cloudy and overcast this afternoon. Maximum temperatures of 35 degrees and minimums of 18 are forecast.
