Storm Adam: red rain warning in Valencia and Alicante as Romania's foreign ministry alerts travellers to Spain
Spain's weather agency kept its highest warning for torrential rain on the southern Valencia coast and northern Alicante into Monday, after some areas recorded more than 300 litres per square metre. Romania's foreign ministry has issued a travel alert with consular emergency numbers.
A cut-off low-pressure system known in Spain as DANA Adam has brought torrential rain to the Mediterranean coast, and Spain's state meteorological agency, AEMET, kept red warnings in force into Monday morning for the southern coast of Valencia province and northern Alicante. Forecasters had warned of more than 60 to 90 mm of rain in an hour and up to 200 to 300 mm in 12 hours in the worst-hit areas, with heavy downpours also expected in Murcia, Almería and the Balearic Islands, especially Ibiza and Formentera.
By midnight on Sunday the Valencian region's emergency coordination centre had handled 396 incidents since Saturday afternoon, most of them damage to streets and drivers trapped in their vehicles. Xàbia, Dénia, Alicante and Gandia were the worst affected; a campsite was evacuated in Xàbia, and Barx recorded about 340 litres per square metre in 24 hours. Gandia and several neighbouring towns suspended school classes for Monday. No serious casualties had been reported by Monday morning, and the rain was expected to move north towards Catalonia during the day before easing from Tuesday.
Romania's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE) has issued a travel alert for Romanians who are in, transiting or planning to travel to the Valencian Community. It advises following AEMET's official warnings. Romanians who need consular help can call the Consulate General in Valencia, whose lines are routed to the ministry's 24-hour contact centre, or, in an urgent emergency, the consulate's emergency number, +34 677 842 467. The ministry also points travellers to its 'Călătorește informat' app.
Spanish authorities urge people in the warning areas to avoid unnecessary journeys and never to cross flooded streets, ravines or dry riverbeds. If you have a trip planned to the Costa Blanca or Valencia this week, check flight and train updates before setting out: local rail services between Valencia and Gandia were disrupted on Sunday.
Source: Digi24 / MAE (with Euronews, Europa Press, La Vanguardia)