José Ángel Núñez, the head of Climatology at the AEMET in Valencia, has voiced concerns over the lack of leadership during the emergency meeting of the Cecopi on twenty-ninth of October. He emphasised that this shortcoming was not just apparent during that meeting but also in subsequent gatherings he attended. On that day, multiple indications pointed to a severe situation, with reports of flooding and a missing truck driver in l’Alcúdia, yet he felt the Cecopi should have been convened much earlier.

Núñez shared a detailed chronology of the day’s events, highlighting messages he sent during the meeting. His messages reported critical situations, including near overflowing reservoirs and the hydrological emergency status being declared. By the time mass SMS alerts were sent out, residents were already facing severe risks, leaving Núñez feeling frustrated by the delayed response.

He noted that other local leaders had interpreted the weather alerts more promptly and assembled their emergency teams, suggesting that stronger decision-making was necessary. Describing the scene during the emergency, Núñez recalled that communication was severely hampered, with many areas completely cut off from assistance, making the situation increasingly dire.

Ultimately, Núñez argued that the failure in leadership added to the challenges faced during the crisis. He believes that an earlier convening of the Cecopi could have led to a more effective response, as the signs of impending disaster were clear from the outset of the day.