Storm Kirk passed through Spain with rain and winds of up to 200 km/h
Storm Kirk has hit Spain. The remnants of the tropical storm had its biggest impact this Wednesday across the country, except for the Canary Islands, bringing heavy rain, storms and hurricane-force wind gusts of more than 200 km/h, causing incidents in several locations. After Kirk passes through the peninsula, the new Atlantic cyclone will again bring rain to most of the country starting Friday, according to Ruben del Campo, spokesman for the State Meteorological Agency (Aemet).
Storm Kirk has had a particular impact on northern Spain. In the last few hours, winds of up to 205 km/h have been recorded in Picos de Europa in Cantabria. There have also been gusts of 165 km/h in mountainous areas such as Valdescaray (La Rioja) or 145 km/h in Covatilla (Salamanca). Aemet has issued a red warning level (extreme risk) in Cantabria, while communities in Asturias, Castile and Leon, Galicia, Navarra, Basque Country and La Rioja remain at orange level (significant risk) due to rain, wind and strong waves.
Storm Kirk also caused heavy rainfall across much of Spain. The heaviest rainfall was in Galicia. Of particular note was the 72 liters per square meter collected in just 12 hours at Santiago de Compostela airport, as reported by Aemet. In addition, Galicia and the Bay of Biscay will have strong sea storms with waves of more than 6 meters. The rain will continue in the next few hours, especially in western Galicia, and more than 100 mm of rain could accumulate in 12 hours.