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Date Published: 23/05/2023

Widespread flash flooding hits Alicante province after torrential rain, with more storms to come

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Aemet has activated an orange alert for heavy rain and storms in a large part of Alicante province today (Tuesday May 23)

Widespread flash flooding hits Alicante province after torrential rain, with more storms to come

Persistent heavy rain and storms have led to widespread flooding across Alicante province this morning, and the State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) has warned of worse to come, activating an orange alert on the north and south coast as well as the interior of the region.

The torrential rain has wreaked havoc with floods causing school and road closures and stretching emergency service resources.

As is often the case, the Vega Baja region has been one of the hardest hit, but the very little of the province has escaped unscathed.

In just 12 hours, up to 127.4 litres per m2 of rainfall has accumulated in Ontinyent, 119.2 in Beniarrés, 109.8 Agres, 106.8 in Muro de Alcoy, 80 in Benexaima, 56.9 Alicante-Elche Airport, 47.4 in Alcoy, 40 in Torrevieja, and 30 litres in Bigastro.

Incidents due to water accumulation! This morning (23/05/2023), so are the streets of #Bigastro (#Alicante), where they slightly exceed 30 liters per square meter. Video: Dani Espinosa. pic.twitter.com/AIOd07lM4p
— MeteOrihuela (@MeteOrihuela) May 23, 2023

And in Alcoy, the Red Cross shelter is open for 24 hours to deal with aftermath of the adverse conditions and the repercussions of further downpours later today.

"In the coming hours new locally very intense downpours are expected, so special caution should be maintained in flood areas. Forecasts indicate that the instability will stay with us for a few more days," warned the Laboratory of Climatology of the University of Alicante director Professor Jorge Olcina.

The Directorate General for Public Safety and Emergencies has advised "to take extreme precautions and not to cross ravines, rivers, ramblas or canyons" even if they are dry due to the risk of sudden increases in water levels.

It rains again in #Torrevieja and we already exceed 40 liters per square meter. The instability remains in the next few hours and, although it stops raining at times, the risk of heavier rains and storms remains. pic.twitter.com/YgVKOhN8Ov
— Mastral Project (@ProyectoMastral) May 23, 2023

Schools in more than 20 Alicante municipalities have been closed due to the risk of flooding, according to the Ministry of Education, and Alicante University has suspended classes this afternoon.

The Provincial Consortium of Firefighters of Alicante confirmed the deluge of emergency call-outs began just before 7am this morning, and in less than an hour, crews dealt with nine incidents in San Vicente, Elda and Elche alone.

And there have been dozens of call-outs elsewhere, most of which related to water supply, flooded roads, trapped cars and falling debris.

One of the most notable incidents occurred at around 9am on the N-325, two kilometres from Aspe where the road was cut-off by flooding leading to lengthy tailbacks with several motorists trapped in their vehicles.

The N-340 at the height of Elche Parque Empresarial had to be closed to traffic at around 6am, although movement is being restored.

And the CV-920 road between Benejúzar and Algorfa, from kilometre 6.5 to 9, is currently cut in both directions due to flooding.

The DGT has also reported traffic jams on the A-31 Alicante-Madrid highway between Elda and Petrer to Novelda due to accidents in Novelda and Monforte del Cid.

And torrential rain is generating traffic problems on the A-31 from Alicante to Almansa, specifically from km 235 in Fontcalent to km 155 in Almansa, and on the A-70 in both directions between kilometre points 15 and 35 in Altabix.

The regional government's Emergency Coordination Centre of the Generalitat Valenciana has established a pre-emergency situation in the interior and south coast of Alicante, and issued the following advice:

Try to be informed of how the situation is developing.
Remove your vehicle from flood zones.
Stay away from riverbanks and ravines and do not stay on bridges.
Locate the highest points in the area to go to them in case of flooding.
Use the telephone in a reasonable way, do not collapse the lines.
Leave your home if necessary, as instructed by the authorities, disconnecting electricity, water and gas, close doors and windows and secure them.
Do not spread rumours or exaggerated news.

If you are a motorist:

Only use your vehicle if it is essential.
Before travelling, consult the D.G.T. information service.
Check the state of the roads you plan to use and alternative routes.
Use main roads and highways, and moderate your speed.
Never cross fords over ravines or flooded stretches of road. The force of the water can sweep you away.
If you have visibility problems, stop on the shoulder and make your position visible.
Do not park on dry riverbeds or riverbanks.
If necessary, leave the vehicle. Your life is worth more!

Image: Mistral Project

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