Torrential downpours
Rockfalls and flash floods caused traffic problems and closed schools on Monday
Flash flood caused some problems, but replenished wells.
SCHOOLS shut on Monday across the Marina Alta after a red alert for torrential rain was issued – but the storms were not as severe as expected.
Of the 33 towns and villages in the district, 22 announced school closures as up to 180 litres of rain per square metre in 12 hours was forecast, and at least 50 litres within an hour – 18 and five centimetres, or seven-and-a-half and two inches respectively.
In the end, Pedreguer registered 36 litres of rain (3.6 centimetres, or 1.5 inches) whilst Pego, Gata and Teulada recorded 30 litres (three centimetres, or just over an inch) and Dénia, Jávea and Alcalalí were somewhere in between.
It was enough to close off four roads in Dénia, including the back way to Els Poblets across the river Alberca bridge and the La Xara road.
And Les Deveses beach – which is geographically in El Verger but belongs to Dénia – caught the tail end of the violent storms hitting La Safor (southern Valencia province) which had shut schools in neighbouring Oliva.
Once again, the entire shoreline was swallowed up and waves several feet deep lapped the walls between residential and restaurant terraces and the beach.
Storms are expected to continue across the province of Alicante until at least tomorrow (Saturday), when the weather will become more stable.
Rockfalls and flooding
Three rockfalls closed the access road to the Cumbre del Sol urbanisation in Benitachell on Monday morning. The local police, civil protection and council workers soon attended the three different sites and cleared debris from the road.
The main car park in Moraira was closed to traffic due to the risk of a drainage channel flooding the roads, and Cala Moraig beach was closed to the public as heavy waterfalls threatened the cliffside.
El Portet beach near Moraira soon became a danger zone as large amounts of water cascading down the main road turned the entrance to the beach into a fast running river.
Meanwhile, in Calpe, two people had to be rescued from their car on a stretch of road next to Las Salinas lake which had flooded. The road had been subject to a new drainage system being installed this summer, which has clearly not worked. Two trees also slid into the road, partially blocking access to the Empedrola urbanisation.
A team of civil protection volunteers attended the scene, and managed to remove them within an hour.
Well, well, well
On a brighter note, the rains in the region also had a positive aspect as they have refilled the Lucifer well, Calpe’s main water supply source.
In the last months the well had lowered its level considerably due to the recent drought situation. Now, however, the water supply for Calpe is guaranteed for the whole of 2019.
As the well refilled, there was an episode of turbidity due to natural purposes, but the water will be treated at the Orba treatment plant before being piped in for domestic use.
Calpe council and Aguas de Calpe are still working to guarantee the future supply, and to provide an infrastructure that will allow them to face the consequences of climate change, be it either prolonged droughts or occasional heavy rainfall.
Aguas de Calpe is currently working on the remodelling project of the Barranc Salat desalination plant, which is awaiting the relevant license. Nevertheless, responsible consumption continues to be recommended.