Torrential rains and flash floods kill 37 in Moroccan city of Safi

CASABLANCA, Morocco (AP) — Floods triggered by torrential rains have killed at least 37 people in the Moroccan coastal city of Safi, the Interior Ministry said Monday.

Authorities said heavy rain and flash floods overnight inundated about 70 homes and businesses and swept away 10 vehicles. The Interior Ministry reported 14 people hospitalized.

Local outlets reported that schools announced three days of closures. Rains also caused flooding and damage elsewhere throughout Morocco, including the northern city of Tetouan and the mountain town of Tinghir.

Safi, a city on Morocco’s Atlantic shore more than 320 kilometers (200 miles) from the capital Rabat, is a major hub for the country’s critical fishing and mining industries. Both employ thousands to catch, mine and process the commodities for export. The city, with a population of more than 300,000 people, is home to a major phosphate processing plant.

Videos shared on social media showed cars stranded and partially submerged as floodwaters surged through Safi’s streets.

Climate change has made weather patterns more unpredictable in Morocco. North Africa has been plagued by several years of drought, hardening soils and making mountains, deserts and plains more susceptible to flooding. Last year, floods in normally arid mountains and desert areas killed nearly two dozen people in Morocco and Algeria.

This week's floods came after 22 people were killed in a two-building collapse in the Moroccan city of Fez. Morocco has invested in disaster risk initiatives although local governments often do not enforce building codes and drainage systems can be lacking in some cities. Infrastructural inequities were a focus of youth-led protests that swept the country earlier this year.

__ Associated Press writer Sam Metz in Rabat, Morocco, contributed to this report.

People inspect the damage caused by flash floods in Safi, Morocco, Monday, Dec. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Abderrazak Gouach)

People inspect the damage caused by flash floods in Safi, Morocco, Monday, Dec. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Abderrazak Gouach)

Shoes are left amidst the damage caused by flash floods in Safi, Morocco, Monday, Dec. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Abderrazak Gouach)

People inspect the damage caused by flash floods in Safi, Morocco, Monday, Dec. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Abderrazak Gouach)

People inspect the damage caused by flash floods in Safi, Morocco, Monday, Dec. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Abderrazak Gouach)

CALABASAS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 15, 2025--

ARDRI, a technology-forward Non-QM and Business Purpose mortgage lender, is proud to announce the appointment of Wesley Olison as Vice President of Wholesale Production. With more than 20 years of proven mortgage and finance leadership experience, Wesley joins ARDRI at a pivotal moment in the company’s expansion, bringing a powerful blend of strategic vision, operational insight, and results-driven leadership.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251215183127/en/

Wesley is known for his decisive, growth-driven leadership, with recent roles as Vice President and National Sales Manager establishing him as a standout in wholesale lending. He has led national and regional sales strategies, strengthened broker partnerships, and consistently contributed significant production. His leadership includes performance management, market expansion, and growth initiatives that strengthened results across multiple markets.

A unique advantage Wesley brings to ARDRI is his strong foundation in underwriting, credit analysis, and risk assessment. This technical background, coupled with his high-performing sales approach, enables him to understand the full lending lifecycle—empowering teams to structure deals effectively, identify new market opportunities, and respond with clarity to the evolving needs of brokers and borrowers.

“ARDRI’s commitment to innovation, service, and modern technology sets it apart in the Non-QM space,” Wesley said. “I’m excited to join a team that values strong partnerships and delivers real value to brokers. My goal is to empower our team, strengthen our market presence, and drive steady growth.”

At ARDRI, Wesley will help accelerate the company’s rapid expansion by broadening market reach, boosting production, and strengthening broker relationships nationwide. He will lead the development of a high-performance sales team driven by client-focused values—supporting ARDRI’s momentum as it continues to scale and increase its impact across the Non-QM industry.

“Wesley’s expertise, leadership style, and vision are an ideal fit for ARDRI as we scale,” said the company’s executive leadership team. “We look forward to the measurable value he will bring to our brokers, our internal teams, and the overall growth of our company.”

About ARDRI

ARDRI is a technology-forward Non-QM and Business Purpose mortgage lender dedicated to simplifying the complexities of modern lending for TPO mortgage brokers. By integrating intelligent technology with a client-first approach, ARDRI delivers efficient, accessible financing solutions designed for today's dynamic mortgage landscape.

With two decades of mortgage sales and underwriting expertise—and over 12 years leading high-performing teams—Wesley Olison brings a rare blend of deep industry knowledge, operational leadership, and a relentless focus on broker success.