Schools will be closed in parts of Almeria on Thursday as authorities brace for torrential rain, thunderstorms and possible bouts of hail.
The Junta de Andalucia has suspended in-person classes in Pulpi, Huercal-Overa and Cuevas del Almanzora, while parks and public gardens in the three municipalities will also be temporarily closed.
An ES-Alert emergency warning has been sent directly to mobile phones in areas covered by an orange weather warning.
The measures were announced by regional emergencies minister Antonio Sanz, after the Junta activated operational situation 1 of its Flood Risk Emergency Plan for Almeria on Wednesday night.
Residents have been urged to exercise ‘maximum caution’, avoid unnecessary journeys and follow instructions issued by the 112 emergency service.
The most serious warning affects the Levante Almeriense, where Aemet has activated an orange alert from 3am until midday on Thursday.
Forecasters warn rainfall could reach 50mm – equivalent to 50 litres per square metre – in just one hour.
Accumulations could reach 100mm over 12 hours.
Aemet has stressed that those totals could be reached over much shorter periods, increasing the potential for sudden flooding.
The storms could also be accompanied by hail.
From midday until 8pm, the warning in the area is due to be downgraded to yellow, when rainfall of up to 15mm in an hour and 40mm over 12 hours is forecast.
Warnings across Almeria province
Yellow warnings have also been activated for the Valle del Almanzora and Los Velez from 3am until 8pm, with rainfall potentially reaching 15mm in an hour and thunderstorms possibly producing hail.
Other areas under yellow rain and storm warnings include Nacimiento, Campo de Tabernas, Poniente and Almeria city.
