Problems for drivers and pedestrians across the region. Credit: Denia Council
By midday, Denia Council confirmed that Cami de la Bota, Cami de Llavador, Cami Fondo, the Alberca ravine, the Marineta Cassiana access and the roads around the San Andres neighbourhood had all been closed. Cami de Gandia, although not officially shut, was described as “almost impassable”.
“It’s better to stay at home until the rain passes,” said Daniel Morales, a resident of the Les Marines area, to Euro Weekly News. Daniel decided not to open his bicycle rental shop. He was worried about the amount of water on the paths.
Rainfall ruined the street market
The rainfall also ruined the Monday street market at Torrecremada. A handful of stalls managed to set up, but most traders cancelled in advance due to the forecast, and those who did open were forced to dismantle their stands when the weather worsened.
Showers continued throughout the morning, accompanied by thunder and lightning, creating problems for drivers and pedestrians across the town. Classes, however, went ahead as normal. Preventive measures included the removal of vehicles from San Andres, an area that regularly floods. Video footage shared locally showed torrents running down the steep streets of Les Roques near the castle.
Controversy over emergency alerts
The storm comes as part of the unsettled weather caused by ex-hurricane Gabriel, now downgraded to a depression. On Sunday afternoon, many phones in the region received an EsAlert emergency message, which was also issued in English. Though the highest red-level warnings applied to Castellon and Valencia provinces, parts of northern Marina Alta, including Denia and Pego, also received the alert.
“Unlike last year’s DANA, this time we did receive alert messages. It makes me wonder, why we didn’t get this message last year?” local shopkeeper Nora Salvans told Euro Weekly News. Salvans did open her photography shop in central Denia because she lives nearby and was able to walk, but she advises people not to use their cars unless absolutely necessary.
Weather forecast and safety advice
For Marina Alta, the State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) has maintained an orange alert until midnight Monday, with rainfall potentially reaching 40 mm in an hour and up to 140 mm in 12 hours. On Tuesday September 30, a yellow warning will remain in force until at least midday, with forecasts of 30 mm in one hour and 60 mm in 12.