Southern Spain is bracing itself for what could be a catastrophic weather event as DANA Alice approaches the Murcia and Alicante coasts. The State Meteorological Agency, or Aemet, has issued red warnings effective from ten o’clock in the morning until midnight on Friday, describing the situation as a “high-risk episode” with a significant threat of flash flooding. The storm is anticipated to bring staggering rainfall levels of up to sixty litres per square metre in just one hour, with forecasts predicting a jaw-dropping total of one hundred and eighty litres per square metre over a twelve-hour period.

In response to the extreme weather forecast, regional authorities have decided to suspend classes in educational and social centres across the Campo de Cartagena and Mazarrón regions. Schools in several areas, including San Javier and Torre Pacheco, will remain closed. Additionally, the Vega del Segura area is currently under orange alert, whilst the Guadalentín Valley, Lorca, and Águilas are on yellow alert, indicating the severe weather conditions across the region.

The impact of DANA Alice is already being felt in neighbouring Valencia, where an orange alert has been declared due to heavy rainfall. Events planned for Valencian Community Day were forced to be postponed or cancelled. Towns like Catarroja have seen significant rainfall, and classes in Ibiza and Formentera have been suspended as a precaution against the impending storm.

Aemet stresses the importance of safety during such weather events. A red alert signals an extreme risk to life and property, requiring immediate action from residents. Authorities urge people to follow guidelines, stay informed, and avoid travel, especially in flood-prone areas. With extreme weather becoming more common in Southern Spain, preparations are crucial to ensure public safety.