A severe storm has affected Alicante province, bringing wind gusts of up to 100 km/h, intense lightning, heavy showers and hail. The storms moved irregularly across the province, with the worst conditions reported inland, including in Villena, El Pinós and Alcoi.

The Provincial Fire Consortium recorded 37 incidents between 17:52 and 20:00 on Monday. Crews responded to fallen trees, damaged façades, awnings, roofs and cables in homes and public areas. Some electrical installations also caught fire, but authorities said only material damage had been recorded.

Alcoi was the worst-affected municipality, accounting for 21 incidents. The consortium reported 29 incidents in L’Alcoià, four in Alto Vinalopó, three in L’Alacantí and one in Marina Baixa. In Calp, a lorry overturned and spilled its load of bottles on a roundabout near the town.

The State Meteorological Agency, AEMET, said the storms were short-lived but very intense, with the main activity affecting southern Valencia and northern Alicante before moving east. An orange warning was in force for inland areas, where up to 40 litres of rain per square metre could fall in one hour. Coastal areas faced possible totals of up to 20 litres per square metre, alongside hail and very strong winds.