Week in News: Orange Weather Alert, Flood Updates, and More
Bon dia. Rainy weather continues in Valencia. AEMET has issued an orange alert, with heavy rains forecast through Monday. Outdoor activities have been cancelled, and schools in flood-zone areas are closed. Here’s the latest from the Ayuntamiento.
Weather & Safety
The storm system known as Alice drenched the region on October 9, flooding streets, cancelling Valencia Day celebrations, and prompting emergency rescues across Valencia, Alicante, and Murcia, Valencia Extra reported.
In Aldaia, a torrential downpour caused the Barranco de la Saleta to overflow, flooding several streets and prompting a civil protection alert, according to Las Provincias. While in Tarragona, commuters heading back to Valencia after the long weekend have been stranded by cancelled trains and gridlocked highways, reports Levante-EMV.
The storms also led to a tragic discovery — the body of a man missing for 15 years was found in a flooded basement in Valencia city. Read more in Spanish:
“We thought the smell was from pigeons — Antonio had been dead 15 years” – Las Provincias
Politics & Society
Valencia’s 9 d’Octubre festivities unfolded amid storm disruptions and political tension. The Lo Rat Penat building was vandalized with pro-independence posters the night before the regional holiday, Las Provincias reports.
In Madrid, Hispanic Heritage Day was marked on Sunday by a military parade and political friction — Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez faced boos from spectators, and four ministers were absent, according to Valencia Plaza. At the Naval Museum in Madrid, activists splashed red paint on a painting of Columbus by a Valencian artist to protest Hispanic Heritage Day, reports Las Provincias.
The Royal Family also met with mayors from areas hardest hit by last year’s floods, offering symbolic support as recovery efforts continue, Levante-EMV reported.
Meanwhile, Generalitat president Carlos Mazón gave his first extended interview since the floods, highlighting the need for better infrastructure and improved emergency coordination, according to Las Provincias.
More reading in Spanish:
“Mazón rallies reconstruction spirit with hymn and Senyera” – Valencia Plaza
Crime & Policing
Police are investigating several violent incidents this week. Gang fights are reportedly on the rise in Valencia, with one network allegedly organizing clashes through Telegram, Las Provincias reports.
Authorities are also warning of a new synthetic drug known as “Alfa”, linked to multiple deaths and sexual assaults in the city. Read more in Spanish:
“Alfa drug deaths rise in Valencia; police warn of growing use in sex dates and assaults” – Levante-EMV
Economy & Innovation
Valencia’s tourism sector has slowed this year, with demand for short-term tourist apartments down amid fewer international arrivals, Valencia Plaza reports. There is, however, an increase in Americans coming to live in Europe, and Spain in particular, as reported in this French documentary from Arte.
Even so, innovation continues to thrive. The region is positioning itself as a national leader in drone technology, with local firms developing new applications for logistics and aerial monitoring, according to Las Provincias.
Residents can now vote on more than 450 participatory budget proposals — from cultural projects to urban improvements — choosing both what to support and what to reject. More reading in Spanish:
“Valencia opens voting on more than 450 participatory budget proposals” – Valencia Plaza
Culture & People
A feel-good story to brighten a stormy week: a Valencian man was crowned “the most handsome man in the world” at an international competition in Bangkok, Las Provincias reports.
On Monday, aspiring members of the Fallera court will attend “The Call”, when the mayor announces who has been elected to be the Fallera Mayor and Fallera Mayor Infantil for 2026, according to Valencia Extra.
And in the heart of the old city, the Strimenos, a Greek couple who fell in love with Valencia, shared their story of leaving everything behind to open Kuzina — now one of the city’s most beloved Mediterranean restaurants near Plaza de la Virgen. Read more in Spanish:
“The Strimenos left everything for Valencia — and their Greek restaurant” – Valencia Plaza
That’s it for this week! I’ll be updating the Calendar and sharing weekend highlights on Thursday. If you’d like to support Pont de Valencia and get involved, come join us for our very first event this week!
