Andalusia and Castile and León activate flood plans as storm Bruna brings orange rain alerts

Andalusia activates its flood plan

On Sunday, 8 November, Antonio Sanz, first vice president and councillor for the Presidency, Health and Emergencies, activated the pre-emergency phase, operational situation 0, of the Plan de Emergencia ante el Riesgo de Inundaciones en Andalucía (PERI), acting as the plan's director. The regional government said the step responded to forecast heavy and persistent rain linked to storm Bruna, which could cause local flooding and sudden rises in rivers and streams. The government described the measure as preventive. The Emergency Agency of Andalusia (EMA), working through the 112 line, is tightening surveillance of watercourses and tracking forecasts and possible incidents, while 112 coordinates information exchange with emergency services and civil protection authorities and keeps the public informed.

Warnings in the west and south

The Huelva coast was placed under a yellow wind warning for gusts of up to 70 km/h from 20:00 on Sunday until 04:00 on Monday. Yellow rain and storm warnings were added from 21:00 for Aracena, Andévalo, Condado, the Huelva coast and the Sierra Norte de Sevilla. The orange warning, the second highest level, indicates a significant danger, with precipitation that can cause serious damage in the most exposed areas. Orange rain warnings cover Aracena, Andévalo, Condado and the Huelva coast from 00:00 to 12:00, with up to 30 litres per square metre in one hour. From 03:00, Aracena and the Sierra Norte de Sevilla face orange warnings for accumulations of up to 80 litres per square metre in 12 hours.

Castile and León declares a region-wide alert

The regional Junta de Castilla y León declared a meteorological alert for rain in all provinces of the community from 14:00 on Sunday, 8 November, with the end date still pending depending on how the episode develops. The heaviest totals are expected in the western Sistema Central and the south of Ávila, where more than 200 litres per square metre could fall over 72 hours. On Sunday, rain was to fall mainly on the Cantabrian Mountains side of León province and in Sanabria (Zamora), with particular intensity in the Sistema Central. South Ávila is under an active orange warning. The Junta's territorial delegate in Ávila activated the Inuncyl flood protection plan at situation 1 to step up monitoring. The Junta also reinforced the Coordinating Emergency Centre (CCE) and pre-activated the Emergency Logistics Support Unit (UALE), adapted with equipment for floods.

Mass alerts and advice to residents

The Junta announced a mass ES-Alert message to residents of the southern Ávila municipalities, with weather information and self-protection recommendations. It contacted the mayors of the 33 municipalities of Ávila directly to share the expected evolution of the episode and urge preventive measures at municipal level. The Ávila City Council fire service was informed of the unfavourable weather expected from 21:00 onward so it could prepare resources. Residents are advised to avoid unnecessary travel during heavy rain and not to cross flooded areas, watercourses, fords or underpasses. People should keep away from rivers, streams and ravines even when they appear to carry little water, and avoid parking or camping near watercourses or ground prone to flooding. The government also recommends clearing drains and drainage systems where possible and following warnings and emergency service guidance.

Outlook

Aemet expects the episode to last at least until Wednesday, 11 November. The Andalusian warnings run into Monday, with the Huelva wind warning ending at 04:00. The end date of the Castile and León alert remains open and depends on how the rain system develops. Rain forecasts in both regions are expressed as accumulations over set periods, so totals will be updated as the episode progresses.