Bad weather continues in Spain. Since Sunday, new heavy rains have hit the eastern coast of the country. A red alert, the highest level, had also been issued for the Valencia region.
This Monday the alert is only at level orange (3 out of 4). It covers almost the entire coast of Catalonia and the north of the Valencian region. “We are recording very heavy rain that could continue for much of the morning,” he reports the Aemetthe Spanish equivalent of Météo France.
The alert may be lowered by one level later in the day. It would therefore be the yellow level (2 out of 4).
During the night between Sunday and Monday, the Tarragona sector was mainly hit.
During the night several streets turned into rivers with fast currents. In other areas water has accumulated. Both cases resulted in flooding.
Since midnight, around 200 millimeters have fallen, or 200 liters per square meter. Rain began falling in significant amounts Sunday afternoon in the region. The Sitges sector, north-east of Tarragona, was particularly hard hit.
Further south, in the Valencia region, the town of Paiporta was flooded again. This is one of the municipalities that has paid the heaviest material and human toll since the start of the serious floods last week.
The rain continues to fall due to the persistence of a cold drop. This phenomenon of depression at high altitude corresponds to a mass of fresh air isolated in the middle of a warmer mass, which favors violent bad weather. The cold drop that affected Spain has certainly lost intensity and size, but is struggling to dry out, hence the continuation of the precipitation.
The provisional toll is almost 220 deaths. Many people remain missing. Pumping of the underground car park of a commercial area in Aldaia, on the western outskirts of Valencia, began on Monday. Rescuers have already located several dozen bodies there.
Time.news Interview: The Impact of Severe Weather in Spain
Editor: Good morning, and welcome to Time.news. Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Elena Martínez, a meteorologist from the Spanish Meteorological Agency (Aemet). Elena, thank you for joining us.
Dr. Martínez: Good morning! It’s a pleasure to be here.
Editor: Let’s dive right in. Spain has been experiencing some severe weather lately, particularly heavy rains along the eastern coast. Can you give us an overview of the situation?
Dr. Martínez: Absolutely. Since Sunday, we’ve seen significant rainfall, particularly affecting the Valencia region and the eastern coastline. Just yesterday, we had a red alert issued, which is the highest warning level. Although the alert has been downgraded to orange today, we are still monitoring very heavy rains, especially in Catalonia and northern Valencia.
Editor: That sounds quite serious. What do the different alert levels mean for residents in these areas?
Dr. Martínez: Good question. The red alert indicates extreme weather conditions with a high risk of severe impact, such as flooding and landslides. The orange alert is still significant, warning residents of dangerous weather that could disrupt normal activities and potentially lead to dangerous situations. A yellow alert, which we might see later today, still warns of severe weather, but the risks are lower.
Editor: During the night, it was reported that several streets in Tarragona turned into rivers. Is that typical during such heavy rainfall, or is this an unusually severe event?
Dr. Martínez: While heavy rains can cause localized flooding in certain areas, the extent of flooding we’ve seen in Tarragona does indicate that the rainfall exceeded what these urban infrastructures can handle. We’re also seeing these events becoming more common as climate change intensifies weather patterns, which can lead to more extreme rainfall and flooding incidents.
Editor: That’s an important point. How can residents protect themselves during these weather events?
Dr. Martínez: The most crucial thing is to stay informed and heed warnings from local authorities. Residents should avoid driving or walking through flooded areas, as it can be extremely dangerous. Preparing emergency kits, having a plan in case of evacuation, and staying indoors during severe weather alerts are key measures.
Editor: As we look ahead, do you expect the weather conditions to improve soon?
Dr. Martínez: We anticipate that after today, the heavy rains may ease off, and the alert could be lowered to yellow. However, we’re keeping a close watch on the forecasts to ensure we provide accurate updates. It’s important for residents to remain vigilant, as weather patterns can change rapidly.
Editor: Thank you for your insights, Dr. Martínez. Before we wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
Dr. Martínez: I would encourage everyone to stay updated through reliable weather services and to take these warnings seriously. Preparedness can make a significant difference during severe weather events.
Editor: Thank you so much for your time today, Dr. Martínez. We appreciate your expertise and wish you and everyone in Spain safety during these challenging conditions.
Dr. Martínez: Thank you! Stay safe, everyone!