The State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) will issue a red alert for torrential rain along the entire coastline of the provinces of Valencia and Castellón starting at 6:00 p.m. this afternoon. According to meteorological services, extreme rainfall could occur, with accumulations of up to 250 liters per square meter in 12 hours in some areas of Castellón and more than 180 l/m² in Valencia. In addition, this rainfall could be accompanied by strong gusts of wind and hailstorms.
In light of this situation, emergency services issued an ES-ALERT this morning, and the Valencia City Council is keeping parks , gardens, and cemeteries closed , canceling public events, and suspending classes at several schools in the city. Starting at 12:00 p.m., parks and gardens—including the libraries located within them—as well as the Turia Gardens will be closed. Cemeteries will remain closed for the remainder of the day.
Regarding cultural and social events, the city has canceled the concert scheduled at the Palau de la Música and the event for International Day of Older Persons in the Palau Gardens. It has also communicated the alerts and the recommendation to avoid traveling to private organizations hosting events at Rambleta, the Palacio de la Exposición, and other municipal venues. The Municipal Sports Foundation is suspending all its outdoor activities.
The special markets will close at 1:00 p.m. and will not be held tomorrow, Friday. Today, Thursday, October 1, this affects the Cabanyal and Torrefiel markets, and tomorrow it will affect the Benimaclet, Malvarosa, Monteolivete, and Castellar-L’Oliveral markets.
Classes Canceled: Which Schools Will Remain Closed
Classes are suspended on Thursday and Friday at schools located in flood-prone areas and areas affected by the 2024 storm. The measure also includes the adult education center, senior centers, and occupational centers . The rest of the city’s schools will remain open, but will not hold activities in the playgrounds or outdoors.
Neighborhoods affected by the 2024 storm: CEIP Forn d’Alcedo, CEIP Padre Manjón (La Torre), IES Ravatxol, CEIP Castellar-Oliveral, CEE Rosa Llácer, the Nuestra Señora del Rosario-Trinitarias Private School, the CF Folgado vocational training center (Faitanar), several music schools and private preschools in Castellar-Oliveral and La Torre, the adult education centers in Castellar-Oliveral, Forn d’Alcedo, and La Torre, and the La Torre Occupational Center.
Facilities in flood-prone areas: CEIP Camí de l’Horta (Benimàmet-Beniferri), CEIP José Senent (Massarrojos), IES Isabel de Villena and its vocational center, CEIP Blasco Ibáñez, the music schools in El Palmar and the Massarrojos Music Association, and the community colleges in Poble Nou, Carpesa, Massarrojos, and El Palmar.
El Saler and Pinedo: Classes are also suspended on Thursday and Friday at CEIP Luis Santangel, IES El Saler, CEIP Pinedo, the Pinedo Municipal Preschool, and the Pinedo Adult Education Center.
Firefighters, the Local Police, Civil Protection, and other municipal services have been mobilized to monitor the situation. Three CAES stations in the city will be opened. The Devesa service will ask the Albufera Drainage Board to open the floodgates to preventatively lower the lake’s water level. Authorities are asking the public to avoid unnecessary travel, especially once the rain begins, and to steer clear of tunnels and areas prone to flooding.
