The arrival of the deep storm Herminia has placed almost all of Spain under alert due to heavy rain, high winds, snow, and rough seas. The Spanish State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) has issued special warnings, expected to last until Thursday, for the storm, which particularly affected Galicia on Monday, where a red alert (extreme risk) was declared and where it claimed the life of one person. The storm is forecasted to continue impacting on Tuesday, triggering warnings for nearly all of Spain.
Specifically, red alerts are set to be issued on the Cantabrian coast, A Coruña, Pontevedra, and Guipúzcoa due to strong winds and high waves. Alongside this, orange warnings indicating significant risks are expected across many other autonomous communities including Andalucía, Aragón, Asturias, and the Valencian Community, where the warnings cover various regions. Minor yellow alerts, the most benign level, are also active for parts of the Mediterranean coast and the Balearic Islands, indicating less severe weather compared to the intensifying conditions experienced elsewhere.
On Monday, the worst impacts were felt across Galicia, where winds have reached speed records of 165 kilometers per hour. Emergency services received over 1,400 reports of incidents, from fallen trees to traffic disruptions. The intensity of the storm led to power outages affecting over 13,000 individuals across the region. The severe weather prompted local officials to declare parks closed across various communities, including Madrid, to minimize risks from falling debris.
The storm intensified through Monday, with reports of the strongest winds causing branches, trees, and even parts of buildings to collapse. One particularly serious incident occurred when the roof of a residential building was torn off due to wind gusts, with damages being reported across various towns and cities. Tragically, on Monday morning at around 7:45 AM, the driver of vehicle involved in an accident lost control, crashing against a wall, exacerbated by the severe weather conditions.
Statistics show Galicia was most affected, accounting for nearly half of the missed flights due to the storm and the highest number of weather-related incidents. A significant number of issues arose from fallen branches causing road blockages and rainfall-induced landslides. Wind gusts measuring 175 km/h were documented, along with three diverted flights and multiple others searched for alternative landings due to cancellations.
The storm's aftermath has raised serious concerns over safety as rivers, already swollen from rain, are now at risk of flooding. Alerts issued by the Duero River basin authorities indicated significant increases in the water levels, advising preventive measures around river areas, particularly where flooding hazards exist. Certain regions of Castilla y León faced yellow alerts for potential flooding as local governments enacted emergency plans to address rising river levels.
With weather forecasts predicting the storm continuing through Tuesday with another arriving shortly after, citizens are being urged to remain vigilant and heed warnings from authorities. The storm Herminia is expected to slowly diminish, but as it exits, conditions will remain hazardous before another storm brings fresh challenges, including snowfall at lower altitudes.
The conditions caused by Herminia, classified as particularly aggressive, limit mobility significantly across the impacted regions, leading to government and local calls for precaution. The AEMET has reiterated its advice for citizens to stay indoors when necessary and to avoid unnecessary travel. Disturbances to transport and communication systems have reinforced this message, with many areas experiencing extensive delays. The situation continues to evolve as meteorologists monitor changing patterns, anticipating yet another wave of severe weather onto the Iberian Peninsula this week.
This storm serves as another reminder of the impacts of seasonal weather phenomena on infrastructure and public safety. Citizens, especially those living near coasts and mountainous regions, are being alerted repeatedly as the weather grows increasingly turbulent. The national discourse surrounding storm impacts reflect not only immediate risks but also long-term concerns about climate and preparedness as more storms such as Herminia take form.