Severe hailstorm destroys 4 500 ha (11 000 acres) of greenhouses in El Ejido, Spain
A severe hailstorm hit El Ejido, Spain on Monday, October 28, 2024, destroying 4 500 ha (11 000 acres) of greenhouses and losses reaching up to million dollars. This event took place just one day before the worst floods in Spain’s history hit Valencia, claiming the lives of over 200 people.
Damaged crops due to hailstorm in El Ejido. Image credit: Asaja Almeria
A powerful, isolated high-altitude depression, known in Spain as DANA (Depresión Aislada en Niveles Altos), brought severe weather conditions to Andalusia on Monday, with the province of Almería being particularly affected. This system began impacting the region on Sunday night, October 27 with heavy torrential rain, thunderstorms, and hail, and intensified from Sunday night into Monday.
The State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) issued an Orange alert for Almería on Monday, anticipating heavy rains, storms, and hail.
Increased rainfall on Monday led to the closure of several provincial roads, while a severe hailstorm swept through El Ejido, destroying 4 500 ha (11 000 acres) of greenhouses and causing losses estimated in the millions of dollars.
El Ejido (population 86 000) is known for its extensive greenhouse agriculture, often referred to as “plastic sea” due to the vast number of greenhouses visible from above.
ASAJA Almería, the Almería’s branch of the Spanish Association of Young Farmers (Asociación Agraria de Jóvenes Agricultores), said it’s deeply concerned about the damage caused to agricultural infrastructure and crops in El Ejido.
This storm has brought heavy rainfall, accumulating up to 80 mm (3.15 inches) in 12 hours, as well as floods and hail, affecting crops and greenhouse structures throughout the region.
“We’re talking about a devastating blow to one of the province’s economic engines, affecting hundreds of families and jobs in the area,” said Adoración Blanque, president of ASAJA Almeria.
After the storm stopped at night many people checked their greenhouses only to find it flooded and destroyed completely, especially pepper growers suffered the worst damages. 4 500 hectares (11 000 acres) were affected out of the approximately 13 000 hectares (32 100 acres) of greenhouses.
Several cooperatives stated that recent damage has harmed a variety of fruit and vegetable crops, with pepper crops in El Ejido suffering the greatest losses due to their widespread availability in the area.
One local company noticed that although some farms had begun harvesting a month ago, others were only getting started.
Miguel Ángel explained that evaluating the actual degree of damage is difficult, especially in locations without direct hits but with high flooding.
This event took place just one day before Dana dropped more than a year’s worth of rain over Valencia, producing the worst floods in Spain’s history and claiming the lives of over 200 people.
On Wednesday morning, October 30, an automatic weather station in the Júcar region recorded 445.4 mm (17.53 inches) of rain within 24 hours, marking the highest daily rainfall in Valencia since September 11, 1996, when Tavernes de la Valldigna recorded 520 mm (20.47 inches).
AEMET reported that the town of Chiva experienced an intense 491 mm (19.33 inches) of rainfall in just eight hours, with 344 mm (13.55 inches) falling over a four-hour period and an extraordinary 165 mm (6.5 inches) within a single hour on Tuesday.
The unprecedented rainfall overwhelmed Valencia’s infrastructure, catching residents off guard and forcing thousands to evacuate.
As rivers breached their banks, torrents surged through communities, causing bridges to collapse, streets to transform into raging rivers, and extensive areas to be isolated from rescue services. Hundreds of vehicles were either submerged or swept away, leaving behind a trail of debris scattered across the affected areas.
As of Friday noon, November 1, the severe flooding had claimed at least 205 lives, with 155 confirmed fatalities in the Valencia region alone, while dozens remain missing. Spanish authorities expect the death toll to rise as more bodies are likely to be discovered in cars and buildings once the waters recede.
In response, over 1 700 soldiers have been deployed to support emergency services in their search for survivors and recovery operations. The full scope of the damage and recovery will require weeks, if not months, to assess.
References:
1 THE DANA LEAVES DAMAGE TO CROPS AND AGRICULTURAL STRUCTURES AFTER THE STORM IN ALMERIA – Asaja Almeria – October 30, 2024
2 Million-dollar losses in the more than 4,500 hectares affected by hail in El Ejido – Fresh Plaza – October 31, 2024
3 Impressive hail storm in El Ejido: it looks like it’s raining stones – Diario De Almeria – October 28, 2024
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