The Agencia Estatal de Meteorología has issued a red weather warning for heavy rain on 18 October 2026 in the south of the province of Valencia and in the north of the province Alicante called. According to official information, the warning level is due to come into force at around 10.00 am on Sunday morning and applies to prolonged, locally extremely heavy rainfall. Accumulated totals of up to 200 litres per square metre in 12 hours and up to 300 litres per square metre in 24 hours are forecast.
The meteorological trigger is said to be a stationary DANA over the western Mediterranean, favouring prolonged and stationary rainfall. According to Aemet the red warning level represents the highest risk. The Centro de Coordinación de Emergencias of the Generalitat Valenciana and the Protección Civil have passed the information on to local authorities and emergency services and warned that the levels could be adjusted at short notice if new observations or model runs warrant it.
Authorities recommend avoiding low-lying areas, underpasses, basements and car parks, not leaving vehicles in dry riverbeds or streambeds, and exercising great caution on the roads. Residents of the affected coastal areas should closely follow the official warning channels of Aemet, Protección Civil and the Generalitat Valenciana and follow the instructions of local emergency services.
For event organisers and critical infrastructure operators, emergency services advise reviewing plans and procedures, allowing for possible road closures and restrictions to public transport, and making alternative arrangements or cancellation decisions early if necessary. Given the potential rainfall totals, the services are also warning of flash floods, flooding in urban areas and rapidly rising water levels in smaller catchment areas.
The notices stress that the precise location of the heaviest rainfall remains uncertain and may vary considerably from place to place. It is therefore important to await official updates and not delay precautionary measures. The warning explicitly covers coastal areas in Valencia and Alicante; neighbouring areas may also be raised to higher levels as the situation develops. Aemet and the emergency authorities plan to issue updates during the day and report any changes to the warning area.
Editor: Andreas M. Brucker (Article created with AI assistance).