Maximum alert for torrential rains: Catalonia activates emergency and AEMET decrees red warning in Castellón and Valencia

The Generalitat de Catalunya has sent this Thursday two Es-Alert messages to warn of the torrential nature of the rains falling in Tarragona, especially in the southern half. This alert is in addition to the one that, shortly before, the Valencian Community had sent to the population of the southern interior of the province of Castellón

The storm left intense rains yesterday in different parts of the Mediterranean coast, especially in the Valencian Community and Catalonia, with significant accumulations and episodes of flooding. The situation has worsened this Thursday, which has led authorities to raise alerts and adopt preventive measures.

In addition, the State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) has decreed a red warning for intense rains on the coast and northern interior of Castellón and on the coast of Valencia starting at 6:00 p.m.

Renfe suspends its services and thousands of students are left without class

Renfe has announced the suspension, starting at 6:00 p.m. this Thursday, of all Cercanías services in the València nucleus due to the red alert for intense rains. The measure affects lines C1 València-Gandia, C2 València-Xàtiva-Moixent, C3 València-Buñol-Utiel and C6 València-Castelló. In addition, they have reported that affected travelers can make changes or cancellations without cost and will receive information about their train through the contact details associated with their reservation. Also, Media Distancia services with origin or destination in València and certain Long Distance trains of the Mediterranean Corridor are suspended, including Euromed and Intercity services between the Valencian Community and Catalonia. 

The storm has also forced the adoption of measures in other areas. More than 200,000 students have been affected by the suspension of classes in different municipalities of the Valencian Community, while several towns have closed parks, gardens, sports facilities and other public spaces as a preventive measure. In València capital, in addition, the departure from educational centers was brought forward to 3:00 p.m. and it was decided to suspend classes also on Friday. 

The decision is taken as a safety measure for passengers and workers given the worsening weather conditions. Aemet maintains the red warning in areas of Castellón, Valencia and Tarragona, with forecast of precipitation that can reach 250 liters per square meter in 12 hours in some points and up to 90 liters in a single hour. 

Pedro Sánchez asks for prudence in the face of warnings

The President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, has asked the population to exercise extreme caution given the meteorological situation affecting several areas of the Valencian Community and Catalonia. In a message published on social networks, he warned that the situation could be "very adverse" and urged to follow the instructions of the emergency services: “Let's be very prudent and pay attention to the recommendations of the emergency services. Much caution.”