A powerful and destructive storm, named Storm Joseph, has brought tragedy and widespread chaos to Spain, hitting popular tourist spots particularly hard. In a heartbreaking incident on the Costa Del Sol, specifically Torremolinos, Malaga, a woman tragically lost her life when a palm tree, battered by relentless winds exceeding 50mph, toppled over. Despite emergency services’ swift response, she could not be resuscitated.
This devastating event is just one grim highlight of Storm Joseph’s reign of terror across Spain. Authorities have issued severe warnings for nearly half the country, bracing for gale-force winds, torrential rainfall, and extreme conditions. Holiday destinations have been plunged into disarray, with river banks bursting and travel thrown into chaos. Roads are closing from Galicia to Andalusia, and shocking footage reveals palm trees fighting for survival against fierce gusts and massive waves pounding the coastline.
The storm’s reach extends beyond the beaches. In Palencia, a terrifying mudslide trapped a driver, who was thankfully rescued. In Zamora, a motorist crashed after high winds felled a tree across the road. Rivers in the Castilla y León region are dangerously swollen, and even Madrid locals are advised to stay vigilant for falling debris, with city parks closing as a precaution.
Regions like Ronda are under “orange alerts,” expecting gusts over 100 km/h and up to 50mm of rain in just half a day. Malaga’s entire coast faces similar warnings, with predictions of five-meter waves. Experts are labelling Storm Joseph a “significant danger,” urging everyone, residents and visitors alike, to prioritize safety and heed all official warnings as the extreme weather persists.
Source: https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/38039265/woman-killed-falling-palm-tree-costa-del-sol/