Storm Emilia Brings Severe Weather Alerts to Spain’s Coast Ahead of Christmas

Severe weather has struck Spain’s coastal regions as Storm Emilia unleashes heavy rainfall, snow, and frigid temperatures just days before Christmas. The storm has prompted the national meteorological agency, Aemet (Agencia Estatal de Meteorología), to issue numerous high-level weather alerts across popular tourist destinations, including the Canary Islands, where unusual winter conditions have been reported.

In the southeastern regions of Murcia and Andalusia, orange alerts are now in effect due to the forecasted accumulation of up to 100 litres of rain per square meter within a twelve-hour period. Local authorities have raised concerns about potential flooding and overflowing rivers, urging both residents and holidaymakers to heed the recommendations from Civil Protection.

In Tarragona, emergency notifications highlighted the “extreme danger” posed by the severe conditions. The municipality of Los Alcázares has closed schools due to flooding risks associated with a local dry riverbed, which reached its capacity of 3.10 meters early on December 18, 2023. In response, emergency services activated the Inumur Plan (Level 1) for flood preparedness.

The storm is expected to bring significant rainfall to areas of Catalonia, Aragon, and Galicia, with yellow alerts issued for these regions. Forecasts indicate that Galicia may see over 40 litres of rain per square meter within twelve hours, while parts of Barcelona and Girona could experience rainfall exceeding 20 litres in just one hour.

The Valencian coast recently faced a red alert for heavy rainfall, which concluded at 06:00 on December 18. Despite the warning lifting, a yellow alert remains in place, predicting rainfall of up to 60 litres per square meter. This follows last year’s devastating DANA floods, which tragically claimed over 200 lives in the region.

In light of the storm, Valencia City Council suspended in-person classes at 32 schools, while the University of Valencia cancelled lectures across all campuses until 15:00. Additionally, the severe weather has disrupted sporting events, including a highly anticipated La Liga match that was postponed due to the red alert conditions.

Authorities in eastern Andalusia have sent emergency Es-Alert messages to thousands of mobile phones, preparing residents for the impending heavy rain associated with Storm Emilia. As the storm continues to develop, Aemet has advised vigilance and adherence to safety protocols to mitigate the risk of flooding and other weather-related hazards.