Following prolonged heavy rainfall in the comarca of La Safor the Unidad Militar de Emergencias was deployed to Oliva in the province of Valencia on 19 October 2026. The military personnel are supporting firefighters and civil protection services with evacuations, transport and technical rescues. Priority areas include low-lying residential districts, campsites and sections inaccessible to regular emergency vehicles because of flooding.
Incident commanders on the ground reported numerous rescues on land and from the air. In parts of Oliva, Piles and Miramar roads and underpasses were under water, and several rivers and drainage ditches overflowed. Some routes had to be closed because vehicles had become stuck or water levels were considered too dangerous.
The Generalitat Valenciana had already issued warnings in advance and overnight, urging the public to avoid non-essential journeys. Meteorological stations recorded very high rainfall in a short period, overwhelming the drainage system. By morning, information on injuries, the number of evacuees and damage was available only in isolated cases and had not been confirmed comprehensively. The authorities are assessing the impact and will provide consolidated figures later.
According to the coordination team, the Unidad Militar de Emergencias forces sent to Oliva came from the base at Bétera. They are to provide particular support where rapid pumping, securing supply routes or evacuating trapped people is a priority. Firefighters were coordinating simultaneous rescues in several municipalities in La Safor and urged residents to respect closures and avoid flooded areas.
According to incident commanders, how the situation develops depends on the further course of the rainfall. Additional roadblocks were being prepared in the south of Valencia province in the morning to keep rescue routes clear. The Generalitat Valenciana and municipal services were issuing regular updates on access, diversions and available assistance.
For the rest of the day, the authorities expected changeable weather, with heavy rain possible again in some places. Specific forecasts came with the caveat that small-scale showers could cause rapid changes in water levels at short notice. The public was urged to follow official advice and use emergency numbers only for immediate danger.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).