UPDATE: The DANA weather phenomenon that triggered the devastating floods in Valencia is still impacting the region. The AEMET weather agency has upgraded the warning to a RED alert. This means heavy rain and possibility of flooding particularly for Castellón, Valencia, and Alicante. It also means keeping travel to a minimum and taking precautions against flood risks. You can see the latest updates here: AEMET Alert.
New Restrictions and Access Limitations
In light of the ongoing weather alerts, the Generalitat has imposed traffic restrictions to protect impacted areas and manage recovery efforts safely:
• Volunteer Access: Only residents are allowed to access the most affected areas on foot. Volunteers must use organized transport instead with a registered community organization.
• Highway Restrictions: Several highways remain limited to emergency vehicles and residents only. For the latest list of restricted highways, please check this link.
Volunteering Efforts
For those looking to help, the Generalitat has organized buses to transport volunteers to impacted areas for clean-up work. The process is now well-coordinated, with organizers providing cleaning materials, and buses leaving regularly to shuttle volunteers where they’re needed. Due to fewer volunteers today, anyone interested will have an opportunity to contribute more meaningfully.
Community Support and Local Initiatives
One of the best ways to make a difference is to support local community organizations, many of which have been severely affected by the floods. Here are some ways to help:
• Sports Clubs: Many local sports teams were hit hard by the flooding, such as the Alfafar Football Club, whose facilities were severely damaged. (Here’s a photo of their trophy room and field that I took.)
• Artists and Art Spaces: Local artists are rallying to support fellow creators whose studios and workspaces were destroyed. Some are even selling their artwork to raise funds for affected artists. Check out this effort by street artist Disneylexya on Instagram.
Simple Ways to Make a Difference
Sometimes, small actions can have a big impact. Even just checking in with neighbors, or asking if friends or family members need help, can make a huge difference during this time and get help directly to where it’s needed.