VALENCIA – A DANA (Depresión Aislada and Niveles Altos) has caused flooding and several fires in the regions of Valencia and Castellón. The most intense rainfall has been recorded in Castellón.
There, firefighters had to intervene to pump water from a mental health centre in Albocàsser. Several people trapped in their vehicles were also rescued.
The storm started around 10am on Saturday morning with the first showers and thunderclaps in several municipalities such as Morella, Montalbán, and Castellón de la Plana. In the small town of Vilanova d’Alcolea, a whopping 41 l/m² of rain was measured in a very short period, half of which fell within just ten minutes.
Forest fire caused by lightning
The fire brigade responded to several incidents, including a forest fire in Borriol, believed to be caused by lightning. Fires have also been reported in Onda, Almassora and Vila-real.
The Red Cross has activated an emergency team in Alicante, and has set up a temporary shelter in Torrevieja to protect homeless people from the extreme weather.
The Spanish meteorological service Aemet has raised weather alerts and expects intense downpours, accompanied by hail and strong winds, to continue in the coming hours, especially in the south of the Valencian Community.
With these extreme weather conditions, the fire service advises residents of the affected areas to be careful and to stay at home if possible. To date, 813 calls have been registered to the emergency number 112, resulting in 517 incidents.
According to the latest data from Avamet, inland areas have been particularly affected, with some regions receiving up to 75 litres of rain in just two hours. And according to Aemet, the Spanish meteorological institute, the worst is yet to come.
Most precipitation in Borriol
Top 10 Most Affected Municipalities (measured until 3:50 PM on Saturday, September 2)
Borriol: 189 l/m²
Vilafamés: 158 l/m
La Pobla Tornesa: 130.4 l/m²
Betxi: 107 l/m
Tírig: 101 l/m²
Catí: 94 l/m²
Vilanova d’Alcolea: 91.4 l/m²
La Serratella: 90 l/m²
La Vilavella: 90 l/m²
Onda: 86.8 l/m²
The first and most intense showers have been noted inland, leaving large amounts of water there. DANA then found its way to the city of Valencia.
DANA in Navarre
Pamplona has experienced the rainiest day in recent years. The three hours of heavy rainfall that fell on Friday evening alone made September 1 the rainiest day in the Navarrese capital since June 10, 2015. Both that day and yesterday, 62.3 litres were recorded.
This Saturday is also on course for comparable figures. From midnight to noon, 47 litres per square meter have already fallen. The rainiest September day in history in Navarra’s capital remains September 1, 1969, with 88.8 litres per square meter.
If you are currently in the affected areas of Spain or planning to travel there, it is important to follow the most up-to-date weather forecasts and local warnings. The authorities and emergency services are in full force and advise residents and visitors to be extra careful and to stay indoors if possible.
Important risk on Sunday for the southeast of the country
The Spanish weather service Aemet warns especially the southeast of the country for severe weather. We already wrote yesterday about the intense rain that is expected on the Costa del Sol. Heavy showers are also expected in the centre of the country, in the provinces of Toledo, Madrid and Segovia.
