A violent downpour in Valencia and the l'Horta region is raising fears of a repeat of the devastating DANA storm
A powerful storm with torrential rain, lightning, and winds of up to 90 km/h struck Valencia and the southern and western outskirts of its metropolitan area on Wednesday evening. The storm reignited residents’ fears of a repeat of the catastrophic DANA (an isolated upper-level low), which struck the region just two years ago.
The scorching summer and exceptionally high water temperatures in the Mediterranean Sea had already raised concerns among experts about a difficult, stormy fall. However, the first serious warning sign came even before the calendar end of summer, flooding towns that had been severely affected by Storm DANA in 2024, such as Torrent, Alfafar, Chiva, and Loriguilla.
Record-breaking rainfall in an extremely short period of time
The phenomenon was exceptionally intense. According to data from the Valencian Meteorological Association (Avamet), nearly 95 liters of rain per square meter fell in the city of Torrent in one hour, with as much as 71 liters falling in just 30 minutes. Extreme rainfall was also recorded in other locations:
- Chiva: 96.2 l/m² (the Poyo Gorge runs through this town),
- Montserrat: 83.6 l/m²,
- l'Eliana: 83.4 l/m²,
- Alboraia: 79.4 l/m²,
- Valencia: 70.2 l/m²,
- Paiporta and Aldaia: 60 l/m².
Flooded streets, evacuations, and transportation gridlock
The mayor of Torrent, Amparo Folgado, acknowledged that the night had been “extremely difficult for the city and the entire l’Horta region.” Heavy rainfall led to critical situations on the roads—many drivers and pedestrians found themselves trapped. Water flooded into some homes through drains and terraces, and 15 people had to be urgently evacuated from a fast-food restaurant.
In Valencia itself, a downpour that began just before 9:00 p.m. flooded the streets and tunnels, while gusty winds snapped trees. Fortunately, authorities reported no casualties. However, the storm took a toll on infrastructure: the metro (Metrovalencia) was completely suspended after water flooded several stations, including the TĂşria station. Due to the severe weather conditions, the Valencia airport was also closed for several hours, forcing many flights to be rerouted.
A flooded street in Valencia. Photo: EFE/ANA ESCOBAR
Two Gorges, Two Different Situations
In the town of Paiporta, which was severely affected during the previous DANA storm, the situation remained stable. The Poyo Gorge easily absorbed the massive amounts of water. “The water level was never a cause for concern, not even for a moment,” assured Deputy Mayor Marian Val, adding that after the heaviest rainfall, the water level began to drop rapidly.
The situation in the l'Horteta ravine in Torrent was completely different. Mayor Folgado noted that it has been “the great forgotten one” since the recent floods. She noted that on Wednesday, the water flow in l'Horteta was significantly greater than in the Poyo ravine, and she reiterated the request she has been making for the past two years to urgently clear the riverbed of reeds, calling it a “priority.”
Hundreds of interventions and ES-Alert alerts
The Generalitat’s Crisis Coordination Center handled a total of 478 storm-related incidents between 2:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m., about 100 of which occurred in the regional capital alone. Firefighters from the Provincial Consortium were dispatched to the field more than 60 times. Among other things, they responded to fires caused by lightning strikes, rescued trapped drivers, and secured flooded bridges.
Due to the seriousness of the situation, Level 1 of the Flood Contingency Plan was activated, and at 10:08 p.m., a notification was sent to residents’ cell phones via the ES-Alert system. The alert urged residents to avoid traveling, stay away from riverbeds and ravines, and—in the event of a rapid rise in water levels—go to higher floors of buildings.
The sudden change in weather also disrupted sports and educational plans. The Levante-Athletic soccer match, scheduled for 9:30 p.m., was canceled by LaLiga just half an hour before kickoff, when fans were already in the stands.
The flooded TĂşria station (Metrovalencia). Photo: VP
Schools Closed and an Orange Alert in Effect for the Coming Days
The State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) has issued forecasts for Thursday that call for more severe thunderstorms, this time mainly in the southern part of the province of Valencia and the northern part of the province of Alicante.
As a precautionary measure, the authorities in Valencia have kept classes suspended in the city’s southern neighborhoods and in flood-prone areas. The University of Valencia decided to switch to remote learning, and the Polytechnic University canceled all outdoor activities. The decision to close schools on Thursday was also made by the authorities in municipalities such as Carcaixent, l’Alcúdia, Bétera, Alberic, and, in the province of Alicante, Elche, Orihuela, and Santa Pola.
On Thursday (from 3:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.), an orange weather alert is in effect for the Alicante coast and the southern coast of Valencia. Aemet is warning of heavy downpours that could bring up to 60 l/m² of rain per hour and as much as 120 l/m² over 12 hours. An orange alert is also in effect in the north and inland areas of southern Valencia, as well as in the south of the province of Castellón (up to 40 l/m² per hour), with an additional warning of thunderstorms that may be accompanied by large hail. These conditions may last until midnight.
