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Storm DANA „Adam“ has hit the Marina Alta particularly hard. On Monday morning, the authorities sent out further mobile phone alerts. Thousands of schoolchildren have been given the day off, and numerous roads are closed. Despite forecasts of an improvement in the weather, the risk of flooding remains.
The situation in the north of the Costa Blanca remains critical on Monday (19 October). In Dénia, Pego, Els Poblets and neighbouring municipalities, roads and properties are under water. The Generalitat Valenciana has activated flood emergency level 2 for the Marina Alta. Emergency services are on the scene, supported by the military disaster response unit, the UME.
At around 7 am on Monday morning, the Valencian emergency services centre once again sent out ES-Alert warnings to mobile phones in the Marina Alta and La Safor. At around 8 am, a further urgent warning was issued for the north of Alicante and the south of Valencia.
The authorities are urging the public to stay at home, avoid non-essential journeys and keep away from rivers, ravines and flooded areas. As water levels rise, residents should move to upper floors. Basements, underground car parks and lifts should be avoided when there is a risk of flooding.
Pego and Forna, near l’Atzúbia, have been particularly hard hit. Around 650 litres of rain per square metre were recorded there within 24 hours. Dénia and Xàbia also recorded exceptionally high levels of rainfall.
The River Girona burst its banks at Els Poblets, flooding numerous roads. The situation remains tense along the Río Girona and the Río Racons. Emergency services had to rescue people who were trapped. In Xàbia, a campsite was also evacuated, and more than 100 people were temporarily taken to safety.
According to the Generalitat, face-to-face lessons will be cancelled on Monday for around 22,000 pupils in the province of Alicante. The towns affected include Dénia, Xàbia, Pego, Calpe, Teulada-Moraira, Ondara and Els Poblets. In Benissa and Pedreguer, temporary school closures have initially been ordered. The respective local authorities will decide whether schools will remain closed on Tuesday as well.
There are also significant restrictions on road traffic. On Monday morning, the DGT reported flood-related closures and disruptions, including on the CV-700, CV-715, CV-723 and CV-728 in the Marina Alta area. The current status of individual roads may change at short notice.
Further south, the situation has so far been less serious. Flood alert level 0 is in force for the Marina Baixa. Localised heavy downpours and thunderstorms may also still cause problems in the Alicante, Torrevieja and Orihuela Costa areas.
On Monday 19 October, the weather on the Costa Blanca will remain changeable. AEMET is forecasting further showers and localised thunderstorms, particularly in the north. Temperatures will generally range from 20 to 23 degrees.
On Tuesday, 20 October, the weather is set to settle down considerably. With increasingly clear skies and largely dry conditions, temperatures will rise locally to between 25 and 27 degrees.
This does not yet mean the all-clear for the flooded areas. High water levels, damaged roads and local road closures may persist even after the rain has stopped.
Latest information: Weather warnings issued AEMET, road closures which DGT. Official instructions and emergency alerts are issued by 112 Valencian Community.
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