On Monday morning, the red weather alert was lifted in the coastal areas of Valencia, which had been put in place due to heavy rainfall. Over the past 24 hours, the region was affected by Cyclone Emilia, but no serious incidents have been reported. Now, forecasters are focusing their attention on Castellón, where an orange alert remains in effect until the evening. Up to 100 liters of rain per square meter are possible in just 12 hours.
In the rest of the Comunitat Valenciana, a yellow weather warning is in effect. Rainfall is expected, potentially bringing up to 20 liters of water per hour or up to 60 liters over 12 hours. In Alicante and Valencia, there is a chance of thunderstorms and the formation of tornadoes until noon, while in Castellón, this risk remains until 6 p.m.
Rainfall amounts
Last Sunday, Cyclone Emilia brought significant rainfall to the region. In La Font d’en Carròs (Valencia), 149.1 liters per square meter were recorded, and in the yacht club district of Borriana (Castellón), 113 liters. According to the Valencia Meteorology Association, the heaviest downpours occurred over the sea, but many towns on land still received between 40 and 90 liters, while the beaches of Borriana and Nules, as well as some villages in La Safor and La Marina Alta, saw between 100 and 110 liters.
Other notable figures include: Potries (Valencia) – 91.8 liters, Les Alqueries (Castellón) – 88, Beniflà (Valencia) – 86.4, Artana (Castellón) – 85.8, Eslida (Castellón) – 85.4, Oliva (Valencia) and Ondara (Alicante) – 84.8 each, Betxí (Castellón) – 82.8, Almassora (Castellón) – 81.8 liters per square meter.
School closures
Due to adverse weather conditions, schools were closed on Monday in 14 municipalities across Valencia and Castellón, affecting nearly 79,000 students. In Valencia province, 13 cities as well as some districts and suburbs of the capital announced school closures. These include: Albal, Alboraia, Aldaia, Alaquàs, Benetússer, Catarroja, Chiva, Loriguilla, Paiporta, Picassent, Sedaví, Torrent, and Xirivella. In total, classes were canceled for 69,609 students in these locations.
In Castellón, 9,135 students in Vila-real were given an unscheduled break. In Valencia itself, the municipal operations center (Cecopal) ordered the closure of schools located in flood-prone areas and in suburbs affected by previous storms. In the rest of the city, classes continue as usual.
Restrictions and measures
In Torrent, local authorities announced that starting at 3:00 p.m. on Monday, after weather warnings are lifted, municipal services will gradually resume operations. Classes in schools will restart, and parks, libraries, sports facilities, and other institutions will reopen, unless weather conditions worsen.
In addition, Valencia’s universities—the Universitat de València and the Universitat Politècnica de València—also cancelled in-person classes. Until 3:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. respectively, instruction will be held online.
