This Friday afternoon, thousands of mobile phones in the Valencian Community They sounded simultaneously with the now unmistakable emergency warning. It was a new Es-Alert system message, the mass alert tool of Civil Protection, activated by the Generalitat in the event of a A storm of very strong winds is expected this Saturday. throughout the autonomous territory.
The alert, which arrived at 18:06 PM and froze device screens with a loud sound, warned the public of the forecast of very strong gusts of wind and expressly requested Avoid travel, outdoor activities and unnecessary calls to 112 to ensure that the emergency number remains free for the most serious incidents.
A massive ES-Alert for extreme winds in the Valencian Community
The message sent to mobile phones is part of the state public notice system and, on this occasion, has been used to to warn of worsening wind conditions on Saturday, February 14The content of the ES-Alert insisted that the Strong winds will continue in Valencia and Alicante throughout the day, with a tendency to intensify, and stressed the need to follow official guidelines at all times.
With this mass communication, the Generalitat emphasizes that Not only will the province of Castellón be affectedAlthough it will be the area most affected by the episode, Valencia and Alicante will also face significant streaks of bad luck.The message urged citizens to limit their movements to the bare minimum and to reduce calls to 112 to genuine emergencies.
Some sectors of the population have pointed out that this type of warning has already been repeated on several occasions, as have others Mobile alerts for stormsand that, upon launching the day before the most intense phase of the stormIt may lose some of its impact. However, those in the emergency services sector argue that these messages aim to provide sufficient time for prepare homes, businesses and municipal facilities before the most dangerous streaks arrive.
Red and orange levels: map of warnings and expected gusts
The Generalitat's Emergency Coordination Centre has declared the Red level for extreme risk throughout the province of CastellónAccording to data from the State Meteorological Agency (AEMET), strong gusts of wind are expected in this area. can exceed 140 km/h indoors and hover the 130 km/h in coastal areasThis places the episode among the most intense in recent years in this part of the territory.
For the provinces of Valencia and Alicante have activated the orange levelHowever, it is possible that, throughout Saturday, The red zone could be extended towards the northern half of the Valencian Community If a further increase in wind intensity is confirmed, gusts in these areas could easily exceed [the limits]. 90 km/h and to achieve, on occasion, values close to or higher than 100-120 km / h.
According to forecasts, the red alert in Castellón will begin in the early hours of the morningMeanwhile, orange alerts in Valencia and Alicante have been activated from 12:00 noon this Friday and They will continue throughout SaturdayOnly the southern coast of the Gulf of Valencia It remains, for the moment, at a yellow alert level, although also subject to significant wind conditions.
The situation is framed in a long succession of storms from the Atlanticwhich have entered through Galicia and Portugal in recent weeks. While in other areas of the peninsula the phenomenon has mainly resulted in heavy rain, in the Valencian Community The main effect is the wind, more than 20 days of almost continuous strong gusts.
A "complex and complicated" weekend for emergencies
The regional secretary for Emergencies and the Interior, Irene RodriguezHe has warned that Saturday will be a particularly delicate day throughout the Valencian territory. In his statements, he emphasized that it is expected a "complex and complicated" dayTherefore, he has asked citizens to exercise maximum caution: reduce travel, avoid outdoor activities and, if travel is essential, do so with extreme caution on the road.
Rodríguez emphasized that Strong gusts of wind have a direct impact on drivingThis increases the risk of vehicles running off the road, tall vehicles overturning, and objects falling onto the roadway. Therefore, he reiterated that any measure that helps minimize traffic during peak hours is welcome. will contribute to reducing the number of incidents and will facilitate the work of the emergency services.
In this context, it has been recalled that the Telephone 112 is the only channel for reporting real emergencies. and that is fundamental Avoid using it for non-urgent inquiries or situations.The saturation of lines and the mobile coverage problems They can delay the handling of priority calls, especially in a scenario where a significant increase in incidents related to falling branches, displacement of street furniture, or damage to structures is expected.
The Ministry of Emergencies and the Interior has also indicated that All municipalities and intervention services are activated and on alert Since Thursday. With the confirmation of the red level in Castellón and the maintenance of the orange levels in the rest of the Valencian Community, new official warnings have been issued so that municipal civil protection plans are updated and that preventive measures be reinforced where necessary.
Cumulative impact and pressure on emergency services
The current storm adds to a streak of more than 20 days of very strong winds in the Valencian Community. During this period, the fire services have managed More than 1.000 incidents directly linked to wind strength, from facade detachments to falling trees or advertising elements.
In recent days, authorities have recorded At least five people injured due to wind-related causes, a fact that has raised alarms about the possibility that, with a new episode of high intensity, These figures could increase significantly if basic self-protection recommendations are not followed.
The fear that emergency services may be overwhelmed overwhelmed by a high volume of notifications It is very much on the minds of the planning for this weekend. Therefore, the Generalitat is emphasizing the importance of the population limit your exposure to risk: less presence on the street, caution with travel and attention to the evolution of official warnings.
Furthermore, ongoing contact is being maintained with provincial consortia of firefighters, local police and health services to coordinate resources, prioritize interventions and, if necessary, establish temporary reinforcements in the areas with the worst forecast.
Marina Alta and Marina Baixa: constant monitoring and activated plans
In regions like the Marina Alta and Marina BaixaIn the north of the province of Alicante, emphasis is being placed on the need for a continuous monitoring of weather warningsThe Emergency Coordination Centre has recommended that municipalities and agencies with responsibilities in civil protection activate your municipal plans in advance and review the intervention devices.
These are coastal and inland areas near the coast where The gusts can reach very high valuesespecially in exposed areas, ports, seafronts, and mountain environments. Therefore, both residents and visitors are encouraged to Stay informed through official channels and avoid risky practices such as walks along cliffs, nautical activities or outings to wooded areas during the windiest hours.
The regional authorities remind us that updated episode information It is available on the official website www.112cv.gva.es, on the account of X @GVA112 and through the mobile application GVA 112 Notices, where level changes, recommendations and possible restrictions are published.
This information reinforcement aims to ensure that each municipality, especially in the northern districts of Alicante, can adapt its protocols to the actual evolution of the wind, deciding, for example, to close parks, suspend outdoor activities or to temporarily close certain roads or facilities.
Key recommendations from Civil Protection to the public
Civil Protection has released a series of Practical tips to minimize risks during the stormFirst, the importance of Stay away from old or dilapidated houses, deteriorated walls, billboards and any structural element that can easily detach in strong gusts.
Likewise, staying in parks, wooded areas, areas with light poles or high-voltage towersGiven that falling branches, trees, or power line components are among the most common incidents during these types of events, extra caution should also be exercised in urban areas, particularly on streets with dense trees or large street furniture.
In the domestic sphere, it is recommended check balconies, cornices and facades to detect any loose or damaged items that could fall onto the public road. Awnings, blinds, television antennas, air conditioning units, and other outdoor devices must be secured. well secured or gathered before the arrival of the peak wind.
Furthermore, it is recommended close doors and windows to avoid drafts Remove objects from balconies and terraces, such as flowerpots, lightweight furniture, or decorations, that could be thrown off and cause damage to others. Any object likely to fall to the street should be secured or stored inside the home.
Finally, emergency services emphasize that in any situation of immediate danger or accident, one should Call 112 without hesitationbut avoiding overloading the line with inquiries that can be resolved through other channels. The combination of individual prudence and institutional coordination It will be key to overcoming a wind episode that is particularly demanding for the entire Valencian Community.
