On Friday morning, Spain remained on high alert due to cyclone Claudia, which brought heavy rain, gale-force winds, and thunderstorms to nearly twenty provinces, including the autonomous city of Ceuta. The situation was particularly tense in Cáceres and Ávila, where local authorities had to activate special civil protection plans and send emergency alerts to residents through the ES-Alert system.
Overnight into Friday, more than 120 millimeters of rainfall were recorded in northern Cáceres and southern Ávila within just 12 hours. This prompted a red alert for danger and led to temporary road closures, including the CC-146 near Zarza la Mayor on the Portuguese border. Despite the heavy downpour, Cáceres managed to avoid serious damage or major emergencies. By morning, the alert level was lowered to yellow, with emergency services continuing to monitor the situation.
In Ávila, where the alert had also been raised, authorities advised residents to stay indoors unless necessary and closely follow updates from emergency services. In the area of El Barco de Ávila, the Tormes River rose to almost 5.5 meters overnight, sparking concerns about possible flooding. By morning, water levels had begun to recede, but three regional roads — AV-P-417, AV-P-539, and AV-P-537 — remained closed to traffic. Nevertheless, schools and public transport routes in the province continued to operate as usual.
Authorities’ response and safety measures
In response to the threat of flooding, the regional governments of Castilla y León and Extremadura promptly issued alerts to residents and local authorities, and placed all civil protection services on standby. In Mérida, an emergency coordination headquarters was convened to monitor developments and coordinate rescue operations. Special emphasis was placed on informing the public and warning them about the risks of being near rivers and potentially hazardous areas.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez also addressed citizens, urging them to exercise caution and avoid travel in affected areas. He stressed the importance of following emergency service instructions and noted that the situation remains under constant supervision.
Impact of the cyclone and forecasts
Although the worst of the severe weather has passed, several provinces remain under yellow alert due to the possibility of further rain and strong winds. Some areas experienced local flooding, downed power lines, and minor infrastructure damage, but major evacuations and serious incidents were avoided. Emergency services continue to operate at increased capacity, and road crews are working to clear the aftermath of the storm.
Residents of Cáceres, Ávila, and other affected areas are advised to remain vigilant, monitor updates from authorities, and not ignore weather warnings. Meteorologists forecast a gradual improvement in weather conditions over the next 24 hours, but isolated showers and gusty winds are still possible.
