Lorraine Williamson
Spain’s highest weather warning is in force across parts of Valencia, Castellón and Tarragona on Thursday night, with emergency alerts sent to residents and major rail services suspended as authorities warn of potentially dangerous flooding.
Eastern Spain is facing a night of extreme weather, with AEMET’s red warning — its highest level — in force across parts of the Mediterranean coast as torrential rain and thunderstorms threaten flash flooding. The most serious conditions are affecting Valencia, Castellón and Tarragona, where authorities have urged people to avoid unnecessary journeys and stay away from rivers, barrancos and other flood-prone areas.
The warnings have already triggered widespread disruption. Valencia’s entire Cercanías network has been suspended, along with Media Distancia services to and from the city and Euromed and Intercity trains connecting the Valencian Community with Catalonia.
Red alert for Valencia, Castellón and Tarragona
AEMET raised its warning to red, meaning “extraordinary danger”, for the Valencia coast, the coast and northern interior of Castellón and parts of Tarragona. In Castellón, rainfall could reach 90 litres per square metre in one hour and as much as 250 litres in 12 hours, while northern coastal Valencia could receive around 180 litres in 12 hours.
The storms could also bring large hail and very strong wind gusts. AEMET has warned that the combination of an unstable atmosphere and moist Mediterranean winds could produce large storm systems capable of depositing exceptional amounts of rain over a short period, creating a risk of sudden flooding and rapidly rising watercourses.
Emergency alerts sent directly to mobile phones
Residents in affected areas have received ES-Alert emergency messages warning of the danger. The Generalitat Valenciana has told people to avoid unnecessary journeys, stay away from barrancos and riverbeds, respect road closures and move to upper floors if water levels begin to rise.
People have also been asked to remain alert to official information and call 112 in an emergency. The warnings are particularly important around normally dry watercourses, where intense rainfall upstream can cause water levels to rise with little warning.
Catalonia has also issued emergency phone alerts. Messages have been sent to areas including Garraf and Alt Penedès in Barcelona province and Baix Penedès, Alt Camp, Tarragonès and Baix Camp in Tarragona, with further warnings planned for southern areas including Terra Alta, Baix Ebre and Montsià.
Residents have been urged to take particular care when travelling and during outdoor activities, and not to approach areas vulnerable to flooding.
Valencia trains suspended as red warning takes effect
Renfe suspended the entire Valencia Cercanías network from 6.00 pm on Thursday because of the red weather alert. The suspension covers the C1 Valencia–Gandía, C2 Valencia–Xàtiva–Moixent, C3 Valencia–Buñol–Utiel and C6 Valencia–Castellón lines.
Media Distancia trains with Valencia as their origin or destination have also been suspended, along with Euromed and Intercity services on the Mediterranean Corridor linking the Valencian Community with Catalonia. Alternative road transport has been arranged for some other Media Distancia services where conditions allow.
The disruption means anyone planning to travel on Thursday night should check the latest information before leaving home, rather than relying on their original train schedule.
Schools close as authorities prepare for flooding
Preventative measures have been introduced across the affected regions, with dozens of municipalities suspending classes and activities because of the risk posed by the storms. Valencia city ordered the closure of educational centres from Thursday afternoon and extended the suspension into Friday.
AEMET has warned that the danger comes not only from the total amount of rain expected, but from how quickly it could fall. Intense, slow-moving storms can produce serious local flooding even where neighbouring areas receive substantially less rain.
Hospital appointments and operations postponed
The weather emergency is also affecting healthcare services. The Valencian health authority has postponed non-urgent surgery, consultations and diagnostic tests in affected health departments in Valencia and Castellón to reduce the number of people travelling during the red alert.
Urgent operations, cancer treatment and other priority-one procedures are continuing. In Valencia province, the preventative changes apply on Thursday afternoon, while in Castellón some activity has been postponed until 3.00 pm on Friday.
Threat continues into Friday
The red warning in coastal Valencia is currently scheduled to run into the early hours of Friday, while the highest warning level in coastal Castellón continues into Friday morning. Other areas of Valencia, Castellón and Alicante remain under orange warnings for heavy rain and thunderstorms.
The wider weather episode is not confined to the Valencian Community. Southern Tarragona is also facing extreme rainfall, while warnings extend into other parts of eastern and central Spain.
AEMET’s special warning says the Mediterranean episode will continue beyond Thursday night, with very heavy and persistent showers possible during the coming days. Conditions can change quickly, and warning levels may be updated as storm systems develop.
Anyone in an affected area should follow AEMET, regional 112 services and local authorities for current instructions. During a red warning, official advice is to avoid unnecessary journeys and never attempt to cross a flooded road, barranco or watercourse.