An 88-year-old woman died as a result of flooding in the town of Mira in Cuenca due to the intense rains that fell in recent hours, which caused the river of the same name to overflow as it passed through this municipality. , bordering the Valencian Community. He is the first person to die in Castile-La Mancha due to the storm.
The first vice president of the government, José Luis Martínez Guijarro, had previously confirmed the disappearance of this woman, but later the regional president, Emiliano García-Page, confirmed her death. The deceased was trapped in her house, located in a basement.
In this city, there were people stuck in their homes, according to sources from the Government Delegation in elDiario.es Castile-La Mancha. Firefighters and the Civil Guard had to rescue around thirty people who were on the roofs of their homes. Twenty other residents were also evacuated after being trapped in their homes.
At the Forward Command Post of this municipality, the 112 intervention groups continue to assess the situation and coordinate work tasks.
The Government delegate, Milagros Tolón, clarified that the Military Emergency Unit (UME) was activated in the morning in the municipality to collaborate with the media working in response to the emergency generated by the passage of the DANA in the city of Cuenca, later than the Community Council of Castile-La Mancha requested it from the Government. This special army unit withdrew early in the afternoon. Also at this time, the Government of Castile-La Mancha declared the lowering of the METEOCAM level in the province of Cuenca. At 3:00 p.m., in said province, the Plan is in Emergency Phase, Operational Situation 1.
Protected housing evacuated
In this town, it was necessary to evacuate protected housing for the elderly. In the city, up to 51 liters per square meter have been recorded. In total, the seven residents were evacuated by the workers themselves, with the help of members of the Civil Guard and local residents, as indicated by the mayor, Miriam Lava.
Among the seven oldest, five were relocated with their relatives and two spent the night in the premises provided for pilgrims on the Way of Saint James.
The floods, which mainly affected the lower part of the town, flooded homes, as well as the municipal park, covered in mud. In addition, the water swept away some cars and walls collapsed, although the damage will only be assessed tomorrow, Wednesday, according to the mayor.
The heavy rainfall, as local sources indicated to Las Noticias de Cuenca, intensified from 4:30 p.m. The Mira health center was “unusable” and there were more than 2,000 calls to 112.
METEOCAM level 2 is activated
The Government of Castile-La Mancha activated today at 4:40 a.m. the Specific Risk Plan for Adverse Meteorological Phenomena (METEOCAM), in Emergency Operational Phase 2 in the province of Cuenca.
This escalation of the level of the Plan is motivated by the unfavorable evolution of the episodes of rain and storms forecast by the National Meteorological Agency (AEMET), which intensely affected the town of Mira in Cuenca, with accumulated precipitation of 40 mm in an hour. and up to 120 mm in 12 hours, in order to make available to the intervening resources all the means allocated to METEOCAM, as well as to request extraordinary resources.
The spokesperson for the government of Castile-La Mancha, Esther Padilla, reported the movement of troops to all affected areas in the region. In Mira, the total is 134.
Concretely, the Government of Castile-La Mancha required the mobilization of the necessary resources from the Military Emergency Unit to carry out the rescue of isolated people at risk, and collaboration with the rest of the emergency services involved in the affected area . firefighters and civil guard. Means and resources from the INFOCAM Plan were also mobilized.
The 1-1-2 emergency service will ensure permanent monitoring of all incidents that may occur in the Autonomous Community in relation to rains and storms.
Advice in case of heavy rain and thunderstorms
In this situation, and in the event of storms, it is advisable to avoid high areas and take refuge under trees, in case there is a risk of electric shock. In town, seek refuge in the shelter of buildings and inside houses avoid drafts, as these attract lightning.
If you are surprised by torrential rain caused by said storm on the road, reduce your speed by adapting to the existing visibility; Avoid crossing flooded sections, river beds or boulevards and, if walking in the countryside, look for high places in case of flooding.
In the event of heavy rain, remove exterior items from your home that could be washed away by the water. If part of your home is flooded, leave basements and first floors and disconnect the electricity.
Outdoors, during heavy rain or thunderstorm, avoid parking your vehicle or wading with it in streams or canals, so as not to get swept away by a sudden flood of water. In this sense, stay away from valleys, rivers or torrents so as not to be surprised by a flood.
Finally, avoid traveling by road and, if necessary, find out about the weather conditions in the area where you are going and take extreme precautions due to the possible presence of obstacles on the road.
Finally, we remind you that in the event of an emergency you must call 1-1-2, while inviting all citizens to make rational use of it.
