Severe weather sweeping across the Iberian Peninsula on Monday has forced authorities to issue urgent weather warnings and deploy emergency mobile alerts in Extremadura and Catalonia. The Agencia Estatal de Meteorología reported that the northern part of Cáceres province reached red-level precipitation alert status after recording 120 liters of water per square meter over a 12-hour period.
Did You Know? The severe rainfall in northern Cáceres heavily impacted 79 municipalities and over 69,400 inhabitants across comarcas such as Las Hurdes, Sierra de Gata, Trasierra, and Tierras de Granadilla.
Extremadura Red Alert and Transport Disruptions
The heavy downpours prompted the Junta de Extremadura to activate the Special Flood Plan of Extremadura, known as INUNCAEX, using Es-Alert messaging to warn residents. Regional authorities strongly advised citizens to avoid unnecessary travel as rising waters caused localized road incidents. One particular lane on the CC-206 highway inside the municipal term of Ahigal suffered disruptions due to the weather conditions.
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Valencia and Catalonia Emergency Measures
Further east, the Centro de Coordinación de Emergencias of the Generalitat Valenciana maintained an orange-level rain alert overnight for the southern interior of Castellón and northern interior of Valencia. Requena experienced intense weather during Monday afternoon, recording hail and 58 liters per square meter, while neighboring areas like Muro d’Alcoi logged 30 liters and Camporrobles reached 29 liters. Avamet noted that the storm system would continue expanding northward toward the Sierra del Negrete and the interior of the Serranía.
In Catalonia, Generalitat Civil Protection activated the INUNCAT plan as forecasts warned of rainfall exceeding 40 liters per square meter in just 30 minutes, primarily affecting coastal and pre-coastal areas. Residents across multiple comarcas received mobile phone emergency warnings late Monday. Civil Protection urged the public to stay away from rivers and flood-prone zones.
Regions under red and orange weather alerts and activated emergency plans
Which regions are under the highest weather alerts?
The northern province of Cáceres in Extremadura reached red-level alert status, while parts of Valencia face orange-level alerts, and Catalonia has activated its INUNCAT plan.
What emergency plans have local governments activated?
The Junta de Extremadura activated the INUNCAEX flood plan, the Generalitat Valenciana initiated its Special Flood Plan, and Catalonia deployed the INUNCAT framework alongside widespread Es-Alert phone warnings.
How long are the severe weather conditions expected to last?
Meteorological forecasts indicate that the heavy precipitation episode may continue through the early hours of Wednesday.
What precautions are local authorities advising residents to take during these storms?