Bejís, a municipality in Castellón, is recovering after a torrential storm on Saturday brought 186 litres of rain per square metre, including 126 litres in a single hour, information from the local account of the event. The downpour flooded homes and caused wider disruption. Several basements filled with water, while authorities closed or restricted access to basic bridges and roads because of structural damage and debris.
Local officials said the storm intensified rapidly, overwhelming drainage systems and causing impressive disruption. Large hail, described as the size of walnuts, clogged drains and contributed to flooding in private properties and public buildings, including the town hall. One of the basic access bridges to Bejís became impassable, while another remains open only with caution. Fallen trees and landslides further complicated travel and emergency response efforts.
The mayor, María José Madrid, described the event as alarming, saying the intensity of the rainfall initially raised fears of a disaster similar to a DANA, or isolated high-level depression. The situation did not escalate to that level, but damage to infrastructure and property has been large. The storm's impact was most severe between 15:00 and 17:30, affecting Bejís and nearby towns, including Torás and Teresa.
The reported one-hour rainfall total indicates the downpour's intensity, while the 186-litre figure represents the reported overall accumulation; both are expressed as litres per square metre. In a separate regional forecast issued on 18 October 2026, Spain’s national weather agency, AEMET, warned that storms across the Valencian Community could bring heavy rain and thunderstorms; hail and strong gusts were also forecast. Castellón was placed under a yellow warning, with coastal forecasts of up to 30 litres per square metre in one hour and 80 litres in 12 hours. Red warnings in southern Valencia and northern Alicante anticipated 200 millimetres in 12 hours and locally 300 millimetres in 24 hours.
Regional reporting on 19 October cited an early AVAMET rainfall total of 37 litres per square metre in Castelló de la Plana. The same report recorded 24 in Aín and 23 in l’Alcúdia de Veo during that separate weather episode. These figures offer a snapshot of rainfall elsewhere in the province; the local report attributes the much higher Bejís totals to the storm described here.
Since Saturday, emergency crews have been clearing debris and assessing structural risks while working to restore basic services. Residents are gradually returning to their routines, but many still face challenges from blocked roads and damaged buildings. The local government is urging caution on affected routes and coordinating with regional authorities to expedite repairs.
Severe weather events like this are not isolated in Spain. In recent years, sudden storms and flash floods have caused impressive damage in various regions. For example, a recent landslide in León resulted in fatalities and injuries, a reminder of the risks associated with extreme weather patterns. Such incidents show why emergency planning and resilient infrastructure matter, especially in rural and mountainous areas.
Bejís and its neighbours now face the task of rebuilding and reinforcing local infrastructure to better withstand future storms.
