The mobile phones of numerous residents of Valencia and Alicante received an emergency alert this Saturday, October 17, ahead of the arrival of dana Adam, which threatens to bring torrential rains during Sunday and Monday. The alarm sound corresponds to the ES-Alert system, used by Civil Protection to warn the population of risk situations.
The Generalitat Valenciana has sent two preventive notices early in the afternoon, before the most intense precipitation occurs. The Minister of Emergencies, Juan Carlos Valderrama, explained that the goal is to anticipate the meteorological episode and warn of the possibility of flooding in the affected areas.
The areas that have received the ES-Alert
The two messages have been distributed in different territorial areas. The first was directed to the southern coast of Valencia and the northern coast of Alicante, where the State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) has activated the red alert for rain.
The second was sent to the southern interior and northern coast of Valencia, also affected by the risk of intense precipitation.
Although the distribution areas are different, the content of both notices has been the same, with instructions aimed at reducing the risks associated with the rains and possible flooding.
What the Emergency message says
The alert sent to mobile phones recommends avoiding travel, not crossing flood-prone areas, and respecting traffic closures that authorities may establish.
It also asks not to engage in activities in riverbeds or their proximities and advises people in flood-prone areas to seek elevated places or go to upper floors.
The message includes a warning about the danger of approaching promenades and other coastal areas during the storm.
In case of emergency, the Generalitat reminds that one should call 112.
Why the alert has arrived before it starts to rain
The sending has been done preventively, several hours in advance of the period of greatest meteorological risk. The purpose is for the population to know the self-protection recommendations before conditions worsen.
The ES-Alert system uses mobile phone networks to send messages to devices located in a specific area. No application needs to be installed nor prior registration is required to receive these warnings.
The alert can activate an intense sound and a special vibration to attract the user's attention, even if the phone is set to silent, depending on the device.
When the heaviest rains from the Adam DANA are expected
Aemet has activated the red alert from 10:00 hours on Sunday, October 18, to 10:00 hours on Monday, October 19 on the southern coast of Valencia and the north of Alicante.
In these areas, accumulations of 200 liters per square meter in twelve hours are expected, which could reach 300 liters in 24 hours in some points.
Authorities recommend following updates from Aemet and Emergency services, as the distribution and intensity of the precipitation may vary during the episode.