Spain is bracing for severe weather as multiple regions issue alerts for heavy rainfall and strong winds, particularly linked to the incoming storm Herminia. The most notable warnings have been activated by the Agencia Estatal de Meteorología (AEMET), alerting communities to prepare for potentially hazardous conditions.
Starting at noon on Sunday, January 26, the Sanabria area was placed under orange alert status due to forecasts predicting intense rain throughout the afternoon and lasting until midnight. AEMET warns of possible accumulations reaching up to 80 liters per square meter within 12 hours in specific parts of northwestern Sanabria, with Galicia expected to feel significant effects. The municipality of Galende could see rainfall of up to 25 liters per square meter between 5 PM and 7 PM, coinciding with the region also experiencing yellow alerts for strong winds.
Wind gusts could reach as high as 80 kilometers per hour across the province, prompting the Civil Protection and Emergencies Agency to recommend residents secure outside fixtures such as antennas, signs, and flowerpots to prevent them from becoming projectiles. Authorities urge the public to avoid standing near walls, trees, or billboards during heavy winds and recommend assessing road conditions before traveling.
Separately, the government of Castilla-La Mancha activated its meteorological emergency plan named METEOCAM, effective from 8 PM on the same day. This emergency response plan is set to address the yellow-level warnings issued for strong winds affecting provinces like Guadalajara, Toledo, and Albacete, where gusts may fluctuate between 70 and 80 kilometers per hour.
Critically, regions within Albacete County are set for orange alerts starting from 3 AM and 6 AM on Monday morning, as these areas could witness wind gusts soaring to 90 kilometers per hour. METEOCAM's deployment followed recent updates from AEMET predicting potential snow precipitation by early Tuesday morning, signaling possible disruptive weather conditions.
At the core of this coordinated response, local emergency services—including 112—are actively sharing information with municipalities to facilitate precautionary measures and swift response capabilities. The President of the local emergency coordination service has emphasized the importance of being ready to adapt to any unforeseen weather impacts. With strong winds and potential snowfall on the horizon, residents are advised to remain vigilant.
To mitigate risks associated with the forecasted adverse weather, citizens are advised to secure doors and windows and remove any objects outside their homes. Those outdoors or nearby construction sites are encouraged to maintain distance from risky structures and to exercise extreme caution when traveling this weekend.
Authorities remind everyone to be mindful of the potential dangers associated with traveling during these severe weather conditions and to contact emergency services through 112 when necessary. This heightened state of readiness seeks to safeguard the wellbeing of residents as Spain prepares to endure this harsh weather system.
Looking forward, both the government and local agencies are committed to maintaining vigilant monitoring over the developing situation and ensuring effective responses as needed. Collaboration between multiple agencies and municipalities is seen as pivotal for ensuring public safety during this precarious weather period.