Simon Wade
THOUSANDS of people living on and near the coast in Santa Pola and Guardamar woke up on Wednesday to see devastation caused by overnight flooding as hot weather conditions caused a ‘mini-tsunami’.
In what Policia Local are calling a ‘tidal surge’, that was apparently caused by a dramatic drop in atmospheric pressure because of hot, dry air pushing in from the Sahara and causing the sea to swell, many beaches and streets were affected throughout the night on Tuesday.
Guardamar authorities admitted the weather phenomenon did not cause significant problems, but neighbouring Santa Pola suffered setbacks to its fishing fleet, with several boats being torn from their moorings.
Seawater also flooded many of the promenades and access roads in both towns.
Santa Pola Policia Local published a request on the morning of August 11, for people to be “patient while competent services perform the corresponding tasks to mitigate the consequences.”
The local AEMET weather forecast for the next week predicts High Temperature Warnings for Thursday 12 and Friday 13, but no chance of any further rain.
