Spain's New Alert System Sends Shockwaves as Severe Weather Approaches
In the wake of a recent distressing event, Spain finds itself on high alert once again. Thousands of citizens across the Costa del Sol and surrounding areas have received alarming notifications on their mobile phones due to the implementation of a new emergency warning system, EsAlert, designed for Civil Protection. The alerts, which started sounding off between 10:35 PM and 10:55 PM on a Tuesday night, caused panic among residents, particularly among the British community in the area. "I received an alert on my phone; we were very scared," one Briton recounted to The Olive Press. "It lit up like an alarm and emitted a horrible beep that was painful to the ears. I almost spilled my tea on myself! The sound was like something out of an apocalypse movie, but it is fair to say that now we are all very aware."
The alerts were issued in Spanish and English, highlighting the area's significant British population. Most notably, Málaga has been put under a red alert for extreme risk due to forecasts predicting heavy rainfall of up to 120 liters per square meter within a 12-hour timeframe. According to the State Meteorological Agency (AEMET), this red alert will last until 11:59 PM on November 13. Meanwhile, the Antequera region, along with certain parts of the Costa de Granada and the Genil Basin, will be under an orange alert, while areas including Ronda in Málaga and La Alpujarra in Granada are facing yellow alerts.
The Junta de Andalucía has declared an emergency phase in the Emergency Plan for Flood Risk within the community, activated due to expectations of heavy rainfall in both Málaga and Granada. This emergency phase, initiated the previous evening, is intended to provide necessary aid and protection for affected individuals and their property. Described as operationally at level 1, it facilitates the control of emergencies utilizing the resources already available within the Junta de Andalucía, paired with specific support when needed.
The unsettling experience for many began with the startling tones of the EsAlert notifications, bringing the stark realities of severe weather closer to home. As the rainy forecast looms, citizens are being urged to remain vigilant and prepared. The mobile alerts serve as an essential reminder of the unpredictability of nature and the importance of being alert and ready to respond during such critical situations.
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