Aragón concentrates the most important weather warnings of this Sunday, August 23. Several areas of Huesca and Zaragoza will be at orange level for storms, heavy rains, hail, and possible very strong gusts of wind.
The Ebro Hydrographic Confederation has also warned of possible significant flash floods in ravines and minor waterways. The risk increases when a storm dumps a lot of water in a few minutes over a specific area.
The warnings will begin during the afternoon and will last until night. The Government of Aragón has activated the alert phase of the Special Civil Protection Plan for Adverse Meteorological Phenomena.
Areas with orange warning
The orange level for storms will be active between 14:00 and 22:00 in the south of Huesca, Cinco Villas, and the Ebro Riverbank.
In the center of Huesca and the Huesca Pyrenees, it will start at 16:00 and remain in effect until 23:59.
The Ebro Riverbank will also have an orange warning for rains between 14:00 and 22:00. In the most affected areas, up to 30 liters per square meter can accumulate in one hour.
The orange warning indicates a significant danger. It does not mean that the phenomenon will affect all municipalities with the same intensity, but serious incidents can occur in the areas hit by the storms.
Yellow warnings in Aragón
The Zaragoza Iberian, Albarracín and Jiloca, and Bajo Aragón will remain under yellow warning for storms between 14:00 and 22:00.
The yellow warning for rains affects during the same time frame the south of Huesca, Cinco Villas, the Zaragoza Iberian, Albarracín and Jiloca, and Bajo Aragón.
The center of Huesca and the Huesca Pyrenees will be at yellow level for precipitation between 16:00 and 23:59, in addition to the orange warning for storms.
The phenomena may be accompanied by hail and gusts of wind capable of breaking branches, moving objects, and hindering circulation.
Other affected communities
The instability is not limited to Aragón. The warnings reach areas of Navarra, Gipuzkoa, Lleida, Tarragona, Castellón, Valencia, and the Serranía de Cuenca.
In the Valencian Community, the northern and southern coast of Castellón and the northern coast of Valencia may receive up to 20 liters per square meter in one hour during the morning.
In Tarragona, Civil Protection maintains the Inuncat plan due to the risk of new rains in the Baix Ebre, Montsià, Baix Camp, and Ribera d'Ebre after the floods that left 11 injured during Saturday.
The intensity and schedules may change as the atmosphere evolves. The warnings should be checked on the updated AEMET map before making any movements.
Risk of sudden floods
The Ebro Hydrographic Confederation has reinforced surveillance in light of the possibility of rapid rises in smaller channels and ravines.
These floods can occur even if it is not raining at the exact point where a person is located. Water fallen in higher areas can advance through dry riverbeds and channels in a short time.
Emergencies recommends not crossing flooded roads, avoiding ravines and low areas, and removing vehicles from spaces that may be covered by water.
During a storm, it is advisable to stay away from isolated trees, metal structures, and elements that may detach. On the road, speed should be reduced, the safety distance increased, and do not cross a water current.