A sweeping hail event moved from east to west across Aragon, leaving widespread damage in its wake. The hardest hit areas included the urban centers and farmlands of Bajo Aragón, Calatayud, and Cariñena, according to local councilors. Hail shredded roofs, shattered windows, and broke car windows in the centers of municipalities, while the economic impact loomed over the fields. Harvests of peaches, pears, apples, and grapes faced severe losses in many regions, turning the season into a caramel-colored cautionary tale for growers.
The downpour began around 17:30 in Alcañiz and unleashed a torrent of water with brutal force for at least half an hour. The scene in the surrounding fields was devastating: a peach harvest devastated to the last fruit, with many families relying on it for income left with nothing but bare trunks where trees once stood full of life. A local official described it as a disaster, underscoring the magnitude of the loss and the emotional toll on farming families.
In the urban heart of Alcañiz, damage was equally severe. Roof tiles peeled away, streets flooded, and one wall collapsed, allowing heavy machinery to maneuver a road that cut off access to some neighborhoods and left residents without contact with the outside world for a time.
A massive rain and hail storm collapses Zaragoza
City authorities indicated that forecasts had warned of heavy rain and strong winds, though this storm did not resemble a hurricane of past events. One official noted that 30 to 40 liters per square meter fell in a matter of moments, a rainfall that etched itself into local memory as historic. The weather service and councilors worked in tandem to assess the immediate needs and organize response efforts.
While there were no reported personal injuries, the impact was extensive. Farmers in the affected belt described the scene as if the broad forehead of the storm had swept everything away. Assistance would be required as the hail had stripped fields and orchards bare, and conversations with farmers were still underway to map the full scope of losses. In nearby areas, a large tree was toppled, blocking a major road and complicating transport and communication for residents.
The Bajo Aragón region faced weather that mirrored the aftermath of a year marked by other severe events. In past summers, storms had pummeled Andorra, Calanda, and adjacent municipalities, contributing to challenges for local peach harvests. As the storm progressed, officials prepared for further evaluation of damages and potential aid pathways for affected communities.
Official alerts had warned of dangerous conditions, and by the afternoon the situation intensified. After 14:30, a severe hailstorm struck several municipalities within the Calatayud and Cariñena districts, and the situation continued to be assessed. Among the communities hit was Miedes, where hailstones reached sizes comparable to walnuts. Paniza, Morata de Jaloca, and additional towns also reported significant effects as the storm moved across the region.