- Orihuela commemorates the 6th anniversary of the devastating 2019 floods with an emergency simulation exercise.
- The 2019 rains dropped over 500 liters per square meter, flooding and isolating Vega Baja.
- The city held a Cecopal simulation involving key emergency services to reinforce preparedness.
- Mayor Pepe Vegara announced plans to build a new fire station with a €300,000 site acquisition.
- Several new meteorological and flood prevention projects have been implemented recently in Orihuela.
orihuela remembers the 2019 Floods with Emergency Simulation and new Safety Measures
Six years ago, on September 12, 2019, Orihuela and the surrounding Vega Baja region where struck by one of the worst floods in over a century. The city was submerged and isolated, with more than 500 liters of rain per square meter falling in just 48 hours-almost double the usual rainfall for two years. To honour this historic event and reinforce disaster response, the City Council of Orihuela held an emergency flood simulation exercise on the anniversary, highlighting the importance of preparedness.
The 2019 Flood: A Historic Disaster for Vega Baja
The flooding that began on September 12,2019,caused severe damage and isolation in Orihuela and the vega Baja comarca. Prior to the intense downpour, a red alert had been issued, schools were closed, and authorities were on high alert. Emergency services convened rapidly to tackle the unfolding crisis. The rainfall overwhelmed rivers and infrastructure, disrupting water and power supplies and blocking key roads such as CV-91, CV-925, and CV-930.
Simulating a Flood Emergency: What Happened in 2025
On the sixth anniversary in 2025, the City Council organized a coordinated flood simulation in the Town Hall’s plenary hall to test their emergency response plan led by the Centro de Coordinación Operativa Municipal (Cecopal). The event was chaired by Mayor Pepe Vegara and attended by key officials including:
- Conseller Juan Carlos valderrama (Emergencies and Interior)
- Alberto Martín,Director of Prevention and Firefighting Services (SPEIS)
- Emergency Councilor Víctor Valverde
- Representatives from Police,Civil Protection,Firefighters,National Police,Guardia Civil,Red Cross,Hospital Vega Baja,Confederación Hidrográfica del Segura,Hidraqua,and more
The simulation was based on a hypothetical torrential rainfall event in the Vega Alta del Segura,featuring red alerts in Murcia and orange alerts along Alicante’s southern coast. The exercise involved addressing:
- Electrical power outages
- Debris flows in ramblas (dry riverbeds)
- Falling debris and structural damage
- Water supply breaks
- Road closures on key highways
- Potential dike failure near Orihuela, requiring simulated population evacuation and emergency shelter activation
The Red Cross and Civil Protection attended to around 30 residents at a temporary shelter at Colegio de desamparados during the simulation.
Key Announcements and Future Plans
Mayor Vegara reaffirmed the significance of such drills, stating, “Prevention saves lives. While we hope never to have to activate thes protocols, it is essential to keep them ready to protect Orihuela’s residents.”
| New safety initiatives in Orihuela | Details |
|---|---|
| New Fire Station | site purchase for €300,000 on CV-930, planned before end of 2025 |
| Meteorological Stations | Installed in partnership with MeteOrihuela for improved weather monitoring |
| european Project ‘Together’ | Collaboration with University of Alicante for enhanced flood prevention research |
| New CECOPAL Headquarters | Acquisition of CAM building to centralize emergency coordination |
| Flood Modelling system | developed by municipal engineering for accurate scenario prediction |
| Hydrological System Access | Direct connection to Confederación Hidrográfica del Segura’s Automated Information System |
Additionally, the City Council provided an update on the condition of riverbeds and water channels, the operational status of Hospital vega Baja, and environmental collaboration efforts with local agencies to strengthen flood resilience.
Why These Measures Matter
The 2019 floods were a sobering reminder of the destructive power of nature in the Vega Baja region. With climate change increasing the frequency of extreme weather events, Orihuela’s proactive stance on emergency preparedness is essential to minimize future impacts. The combination of technology, infrastructure improvements, and coordinated emergency plans ensures quick response and community safety.
Final Thoughts
Orihuela’s commitment to annual emergency simulations and investment in new facilities demonstrates a clear understanding: preparedness saves lives. Residents can feel reassured knowing that local authorities remain vigilant and continue to improve methods for tackling floods and other natural disasters.
For more detailed coverage on this story and local emergency measures, visit the original source from La Verdad.
Source: La Verdad