The arrival of ES-Alert messages on mobile phones has become one of the most common sights during the recent episodes of heavy rain in eastern Spain. The system, managed by Civil Protection, aims to warn those in areas at risk of flooding, overflowing ravines, or flash floods as early as possible.
This time, the main focus is on the Valencian Community , where Emergency Services have issued a red alert for heavy rainfall. Warnings have also been issued in Catalonia, although with different times and in different regions, within a complex weather context affecting much of the Mediterranean coast.
An ES-Alert for extraordinary danger in Castellón and Valencia
The first alert in the Valencian Community was sent at 10:02 a.m. on Thursday , according to several reports, and arrived gradually on mobile phones in the designated areas. The text described an extremely dangerous situation in the northern interior and coastal areas of Castellón, as well as along the coast of Valencia.
The alert specified that orange-level warnings would begin at 14:00 PM , while red-level warnings would be activated from 18:00 PM . This sequence was intended to allow the population to prepare before the rains intensified and avoid unnecessary travel in the middle of the afternoon.
Among the repeated instructions from Emergency Services were to stay home unless absolutely necessary , to keep a close eye on weather conditions, to stay away from riverbeds and ravines, and to respect any road closures established by officers. If the water level rose, the recommendation was clear: go to upper floors and do not attempt to cross flooded areas.
Civil Protection advice and emergency channels
The message directed users to the website 112cv.gva.es for further recommendations and reminded them that in any emergency, they should call 112. This was not a generic alert: the ES-Alert is directed to terminals physically located in the affected area, so it only sounds in places where the authorities consider there to be a real risk.
Civil Protection stressed the importance of avoiding ravines, dry riverbeds, and streambeds , even if they are currently dry. They also urged caution on secondary roads, rural paths, and underpasses, as accumulations of water can form in just a few minutes and create dangerous situations for drivers and pedestrians.
The Catalan government had previously called for maximum caution in anticipation of the heavy rains, paying particular attention to flood-prone areas. The issuance of the ES-Alert was seen as a further step towards ensuring that the warning reached the public directly, widely, and with specific instructions.
Aemet forecasts: up to 90 liters per hour
The State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) had raised the risk level to red for torrential rains between Thursday and Friday. Forecasts from the agency indicated that up to 90 liters per square meter could fall in a single hour , an intensity capable of causing ravines to overflow and triggering flash floods.
In twelve hours, the accumulated rainfall could be very high. Several sources agree that the Valencia coastline could see around 180 liters per square meter , while in parts of Castellón the estimated figures were even higher and varied depending on the area and the updates to the weather warnings.
The situation mainly affected the northern interior and the coasts of Castellón and Valencia, although the area of risk could shift as the hours passed. Aemet maintained a special warning for heavy and persistent showers in eastern Spain, with the possibility of thunderstorms and rapid accumulations in low-lying areas.
Catalonia has also activated the ES-Alert for heavy rains
Civil Protection has used the same system in Catalonia at different times during the event. One of the alerts was sent at 10:22 p.m. on Monday to coastal and pre-coastal areas of Barcelona, as well as parts of Tarragona and Girona, to warn of locally heavy rainfall expected on Tuesday morning between 8:00 a.m. and 14:00 p.m.
The warning reached regions such as La Selva, Maresme, Vallès Oriental, Vallès Occidental, Barcelonès, Baix Llobregat, Garraf, Alt Penedès, Conca de Barberà, Baix Camp, Alt Camp, Baix Penedès and Tarragonès . In that case, Civil Protection asked to take extreme precautions in mobility and outdoor activities, and avoid approaching flood zones.
In Tarragona, warnings were also issued due to the forecast of heavy rainfall. Civil Protection sent an initial ES-Alert to districts such as Garraf, Alt Penedès, Baix Penedès, Alt Camp, Tarragonès, and Baix Camp , and a second warning to Terra Alta, Baix Ebre, and Montsià , where the rain could remain stationary throughout the afternoon and evening.
The Catalan Meteorological Service (Meteocat) issued the highest level of alert for heavy rainfall in several of these regions, including Terra Alta, Baix Ebre, Montsià, Baix Camp, Tarragonès, Alt Camp, and Baix Penedès. Authorities reminded the public that, in such events, the safest course of action is to follow official instructions and avoid walking or driving through streams, riverbeds, or low-lying areas.
What to do when an alert sounds on your mobile phone
ES-Alert's function is to display a message on the phone's screen even when the device is on silent, using a distinctive tone and a notification window. It requires no app installation or personal data sharing: the system uses cell towers to locate devices within a specific area.
When you receive a warning like this, it's best to read it completely and follow the instructions. During periods of torrential rain, authorities usually recommend not driving, not going down to basements or garages, and staying away from dry riverbeds, ravines, or river mouths. If water starts entering a home, the priority is to move to an upper floor and call 112.
It's also helpful to stay calm, share the information with elderly or dependent people who may be in the area, and keep a charged phone handy. The alert doesn't always mean that danger is imminent on every street, but it does indicate that conditions can deteriorate rapidly and that you should avoid unnecessary risks.
The heavy rain has triggered ES-Alert warnings in several areas of eastern Spain , with the Valencian Community receiving the most attention due to the red alert in Castellón and Valencia. The series of messages, recommendations, and forecasts indicates a day of close weather monitoring, with particular emphasis on staying off the roads, keeping away from riverbeds and ravines, and following emergency services instructions. The early arrival of the alert on mobile phones aims to give people time to take shelter and make safe decisions before the heaviest rains arrive.