The Generalitat Valenciana has told residents in more than 140 towns across southern Valencia and northern Alicante to stay home as heavy rain intensifies. Emergency services report 781 incidents, and the UME has joined the response.
Emergency services had handled 781 storm-related incidents by the time the latest figures were released: 381 in Alicante province and 400 in Valencia. The Generalitat Valenciana ordered residents across southern Valencia province and northern Alicante to stay home. Spain’s State Meteorological Agency, AEMET, issued a special warning for 18–19 October 2026, forecasting persistent downpours and thunderstorms.
The order appeared in the Diari Oficial de la Generalitat Valenciana (DOGV), Juan Carlos Valderrama, the regional emergency services conseller, said from CECOPI. An ES-Alert told people in the affected areas not to travel. Sueca and Carlet are among the municipalities covered in Valencia. Cullera and Alzira are also included.
In Alicante, the named municipalities include Jávea and Calpe. Altea and Pego are covered too. Denia and Cocentaina were also named.
Authorities are closing roads with the Guardia Civil and other State security forces to block access to the hardest-hit areas. Valderrama said emergency services were working to protect residents. He asked people to leave routes clear so essential services could reach affected locations quickly.
Helicopters have been sent to the worst-affected areas, though Valderrama said the weather was unfavourable. The UME is also supporting emergency teams. Rescues are under way in places that are difficult to reach.
President of the Generalitat Valenciana Juanfran Pérez Llorca and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez urged people in the region to take care and follow emergency instructions. They singled out southern Valencia and northern Alicante, where intense rain had made conditions very difficult.
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Valderrama said residents may be anxious about rainfall and water building up inside their homes. The 112 emergency service would respond when it could, he said, and asked people to remain calm while emergency teams coordinated assistance.
