The State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) has raised the red alert level in the province of Valencia. The new alert covers the period from 9:00 p.m. until 11:00 a.m. tomorrow, with the Aemet warning that torrential rains are more likely along the coast. The red alert signifies extreme danger, with recommendations to avoid travel and seek safety. The new weather event is particularly concerning for municipalities already devastated by the October 29th storm, with sewer systems still heavily impacted and streets covered in mud undergoing recovery efforts.
The Generalitat has issued a mass civil protection alert via mobile phones informing of the Aemet warning along the entire Valencia coast. Strong rains are expected from the evening of the 13th through the 14th, leading to the suspension of educational, sports, and day center activities, as well as restrictions on private vehicle traffic. The mobility restrictions in the affected area will apply to 163 municipalities, with exceptions for essential services and emergency response, along with companies ensuring basic water, energy, communication services, and food distribution.
President Carlos Mazón has ordered temporary and exceptional measures to ensure safety from Wednesday evening to Thursday night. Educational and sports activities are suspended, and day centers are closed. Non-urgent private vehicle travel in affected municipalities is restricted, except for essential reasons such as healthcare visits, returning home, caring for vulnerable individuals, emergencies, and similar situations with proper justification.
Prior to the red alert issuance by Aemet, the Generalitat had already suspended part of the cleanup and reconstruction work in the storm-affected areas, affecting activities in southern Valencia. Volunteering efforts from the City of Arts and Sciences were suspended, and Aldaia municipality placed sandbags along the Saleta ravine. The Ford plant in Almussafes halted production, and the Valencian Courts postponed Mazón’s scheduled appearance to Friday.
In preparation for the new storm, efforts have intensified to maintain and clear the sewage system in heavily impacted areas. Firefighters and soldiers are working to prevent further flooding due to clogged sewers, focusing on unblocking main drains and extracting mud to prevent overflow and subsequent house flooding. The ongoing reconstruction process following the previous disaster is already consuming resources and effort, both from authorities and residents, with challenges on pumping out water and managing waste in the overwhelmed network.
Residents and authorities in the affected towns continue to face challenges of clearing debris and mud from the sewers to prevent further flooding as they prepare for the new weather event. The accumulation of rubble and mud in the sewers poses difficulties in extraction, leading to creative solutions such as using water pressure to dissolve and remove the blockages. Despite efforts, concerns remain high as locals brace for potential floods given the inadequate infrastructure and the looming threat of the new storm.
