The Directorate General of Civil Protection and Emergencies of the Ministry of the Interior (DGEI) has warned this Monday for heavy and persistent rainfall in the Balearic Islands and Mediterranean coasts, according to the forecasts of the State Agency of Meteorology (Aemet).
The agency has explained that a cold air mass is expected to move from northern Europe to the southwest, causing a generalized drop in temperatures from Tuesday. It is likely that this phenomenon will eventually isolate as a DANA (Isolated High-Level Depression) or cold squall in the environment of the Mediterranean or the south peninsular.
The Severity Index 1 (IG1) of the Meteobal Plan is activated when the records indicate the imminence of an adverse event with a high probability of risk to people and property.
“The most likely scenario at the moment is that rainfall will begin tomorrow, Tuesday, the 12th, with greater probability in the south of the Balearic archipelago and other parts of the Mediterranean coast. The Cantabrian and northern Pyrenees will also get snow in mountain areas,” said this morning the public body.
The AEMET alert
The State Meteorological Agency maintains from early this morning the yellow alert in the Pitiusas by rains that can accumulate up to 30 liters per meter (liters/m2) in an hour.
In the early hours of next morning, in Ibiza and Formentera the warning will change to orange for rainfall of up to 40 liters/m2 in an hour and will be in force throughout Tuesday. The alerts will remain in force during the night and early hours of Wednesday.
Advice and recommendations in the event of a heavy rainfall alert
The General Directorate of Civil Protection and Emergencies recommends a series of measures to adopt in these situations.
Measures in the home:
- Secure doors and windows.
- Stay in the upper areas of the house.
- Remove from the exterior anything that can be washed away by the water.
- Move medicines, documents and valuable items, as well as food and drinking water in high places in the house. Also dangerous products.
- Avoid basements or low areas, such as garages.
- If water has already entered your home, turn off the main power switch.
Measurements on the outside:
- In the field, stay away from streams and flooding areas.
- In urban areas, seek shelter in a building.
- Do not walk in areas with moving water. The faster the water runs, the more danger.
Measures on the road:
- Avoid traveling by car if it is not absolutely necessary.
- If you must drive, moderate your speed and increase your safety distance, and do so on highways, freeways and main roads.
- In case of low visibility, stop the vehicle and signal your position.
- Do not enter flood zones, even if there seems to be little water.
- If the car starts to float and is dragged, get out immediately. If you can’t get out through the door, use the window.
- Leave the vehicle and go to higher ground in case the car is immobilized by water or the water level has already reached the axle.
- Carry a charged cell phone and enough fuel in the vehicle.
- Do not park on bridges, sidewalks or overflows.
Weather forecast for Ibiza and Formentera
According to information from the AEMET, from Wednesday it is likely that precipitation will spread over much of the Peninsula, in the form of snow in the mountain systems. The heaviest rains are expected in the Balearic Islands, the north of the Valencian Community and the coast of Catalonia. In these areas could accumulate about 800-100 l/m2, even locally more than 200.
Rains will remain throughout the week. From Saturday, it is likely to begin to lose intensity in the Mediterranean area and move to the Atlantic slope.
