Spain evacuates Piedralaves over threat of Orcajo dam breach

Evacuation due to the threat of a dam breach

Spanish authorities evacuated residents of the town of Piedralaves in the province of Avila due to the risk of the Orcajo dam breaching after heavy rains. This was reported by the local outlet AvilaRed citing the civil protection service. The decision was made after the State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) declared a red danger level due to the rains starting at 9:00 a.m.

How residents were alerted and received

Residents were sent a mass notification via the ES-Alert system instructing them to report to the municipal pavilion and the San Juan de la Cruz school. According to Aemet forecasts, Piedralaves may receive up to 120 liters of precipitation per square meter over 12 hours, and in some places up to 200–300 liters.

State of emergency in the province

Earlier, the government of Castile and Leon declared the second level of the flood protection plan (Inuncyl) across the entire province. Classes were canceled in schools in 32 municipalities, including Piedralaves. In their statement, the authorities urged residents to follow the instructions of emergency services, avoid unnecessary travel, not to cross flooded areas, riverbeds and underpasses, and to stay away from rivers, streams and ravines.

A town weakened by fire

Piedralaves is located in the Tiétar valley in the south of the province of Avila. According to the outlet, the town suffered badly from a wildfire in the summer — meaning that the area now facing the threat of flooding has already sustained damage this year. The article is published alongside reports of other natural disasters: it was previously reported that severe flooding in Australia submerged roads together with cars.