Storm Marta batters northern Morocco, killing four near Tétouan, flooding Tangier, Salé, and Casablanca

Storm system moves into northern Morocco

A storm system identified as Marta moved into northern Morocco over the weekend, bringing days of heavy rain. Rain fell in waves. Streets filled. Low areas took water.

According to Morocco’s General Directorate of Meteorology, the storm dumped up to 92 millimeters of rain in parts of the north. The rain band extended across the region. The same weather front had caused serious disruption in Spain and Portugal before reaching Morocco.

In Tangier, Morocco, rain pooled in streets and along curbs. In Salé, Morocco, water spread across low ground. In Casablanca, Morocco, drainage channels overflowed in several districts. The storm crossed cities. It did not pause.

Flash floods claim lives near Tétouan, Morocco

Near Tétouan, Morocco, flash floods swept a car from a road in a village north of Rabat. Inside were four people. Three were children, a girl and two boys aged 2 to 14. The fourth was a man in his 30s. All four died after the vehicle was carried away by floodwater. Another person remains missing.

Local authorities said an investigation will be opened into what happened. The road was cut by water. The current rose fast. Then the car vanished.

Cities flooded, villages cut off, homes collapse in mountain areas

Storm Marta caused flooding across several northern cities. Water spread through streets in Tangier. In Salé, water levels climbed. In Casablanca, runoff moved through low lying districts.

In mountainous areas, the rain loosened soil. Houses collapsed in parts of Chefchaouen Province. Eyewitnesses described entire slopes giving way.

“Around 60 houses were destroyed in the village of Aghbalou," residents said after landslides tore through the settlement. Walls broke. Roofs fell. Mud filled courtyards.

Access to several villages was cut off when the Sebou River burst its banks. Roads disappeared beneath brown water. Some communities were left isolated.

Mass evacuations across northern provinces

More than 154,000 people were evacuated from northern provinces as floodwaters rose. Entire neighborhoods emptied. Families carried bags. Children walked through shallow water toward higher ground.

The town of Ksar al-Kebir, Morocco, north east of Rabat, was among the hardest hit. Most residents were evacuated as water levels continued to climb.

Evacuations continued in four provinces in northwestern Morocco:

• Larache
• Kenitra
• Sidi Kacem
• Sidi Slimane

Authorities set up temporary camps and relocated residents to designated shelters in nearby cities. Rescue teams used helicopters, military trucks, speedboats, drones, and specialized equipment to reach flooded areas and move people out of danger.

Overfilled dams release water, rivers swell

Flooding intensified as water levels in dams and river valleys rose. In northwestern Morocco, the Oued El Makhazine Dam reached 156 percent of its capacity and overflowed. The Loukkos River continued to rise. Riverbanks failed in several places. Fields filled with water.

Days earlier, another storm system named Leonardo had already overfilled dams and rivers across northern Africa and the Iberian Peninsula. In Morocco, the earlier storm damaged homes and crops and triggered minor landslides. More than 150,000 people were forced to evacuate during that period. The ground remained saturated when Marta arrived. The water had nowhere to go.

Disruption spreads through ports, fuel supply, and schools

Severe weather disrupted port operations. Fewer ships arrived because of rough conditions at sea. Fuel shortages developed in several areas due to difficulties in importing supplies through ports. Shortages in livestock feed worsened as deliveries slowed.

Schools in affected regions were closed for several days. Buildings stood empty as rain continued. Classrooms remained dark.

Relief for water supplies after prolonged drought

Officials said the turbulent weather has secured at least a year’s supply of drinking water for Morocco. Reservoir levels rose. Water resources increased for the agricultural sector. The benefit came alongside damage and displacement. Heavy rain filled dams. Heavy rain also flooded homes.