The Junta de Extremadura has decided to suspend classes in all non-university educational centers in the community this Wednesday due to the worsening weather forecasts for the arrival of storm Charles. The measure affects the entire region and includes the cancellation of school transport routes.
The storm will maintain a red alert for rain in the north of Cáceres province, where accumulated rainfall of up to 120 liters per square meter in twelve hours is expected. The warning will be in effect from 8:00 AM until midnight. In addition, all of Extremadura will remain on orange alert for wind from 3:00 PM until 11:59 PM, with gusts that could reach 120 kilometers per hour in some areas.
The decision to suspend teaching activity was communicated by the Vice President of the Junta and Minister of the Presidency, Coordination of Government Action, Interior and Emergencies, Abel Bautista, who justified the preventive closure given the possibility that strong wind gusts might arrive earlier than forecast. As he explained, the Administration could be "without reaction time" if the storm worsens earlier than expected.
Civil Protection activates emergency level due to the storm
The suspension of classes comes with the activation of the Territorial Civil Protection Plan of Extremadura (PLATERCAEX). The device remains in Operational Situation 0, for alert and monitoring, since 2:00 PM this Tuesday and will move to Operational Situation 1 from 8:00 AM on Wednesday, when the possibility of effects on people, property, or the environment is contemplated.
The forecasts of the State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) place the most intense gusts in the Tajo and Alagón areas, the Meseta Cacereña, Villuercas and Montánchez, where they could reach 120 kilometers per hour. In the north of Cáceres, the south of Badajoz, La Siberia Extremeña, Barros and Serena, winds could reach 100 kilometers per hour.
Given this scenario, the 112 Extremadura Center has asked municipalities to keep Civil Protection, Local Police, and maintenance services on alert, in addition to checking drains, ditches, canals, and sewage systems to avoid problems derived from rainfall.
The population is advised to avoid unnecessary travel, not to cross flooded roads, and not to park in dry riverbeds or on riverbanks. Given the strong gusts of wind, it also advises to remove objects that could fall or be carried away, such as awnings and flowerpots, and to stay away from trees, walls, and dilapidated buildings.
On the road, authorities ask to exercise extreme caution during overtakes, especially of large vehicles, as well as when crossing tunnels and viaducts.
The storm also forces the suspension of classes in Castilla y León
The meteorological situation is not limited to Extremadura. Castilla y León has also adopted preventive measures in the south of Ávila, where the red alert for rain has led to the cancellation of educational activity in ten schools. Likewise, 32 school transport routes affecting 943 students have been suspended.
Storm Charles, which will add to the effects of Bruna, also threatens to bring intense rainfall to western Andalusia and other points on the Atlantic slope. AEMET continues to monitor its evolution given the possibility that changes in its trajectory may alter the areas most affected by rain and wind.
Contact