The waters flooded the streets of Madrid in September last year. The floods caused rivers to overflow, destroyed cars and destroyed bridges that isolated entire towns such as Aldea del Fresno. The consequences of this DANA left their mark until a few weeks ago, when communications were completely restored in the most devastated municipalities. This weekend, as a year ago, the Community of Madrid is preparing to receive torrential rains throughout the province. For this reason, it has been armored to avoid further damage and started yesterday. an information campaign to inform citizens about how to act in these situations and not have to regret bodily injuries.
Specifically, the Isabel II Canal has a network of infrastructure to prevent and minimize risks. They have 95 storm tanks throughout the region to reduce the impact of torrential rains in urban areas. These are huge underground reservoirs created to store the first rainwater. Also, regularly, maintenance, conservation and cleaning tasks are carried out on its urban sanitation and drainage network.
Beyond the cleaning services, Canal de Isabel II is constantly carrying out conservation and improvement works on its distribution network. At the same time, in the countryside, the Madrid public company monitors the levels of the reservoirs in real time. In this way, they try to minimize the effects of the river floods and, in the event of an interruption in the supply of drinking water, the control center coordinates the dispatch of tankers and water jugs.
Likewise, through the funds of the Recovery and Resilience Mechanism, Canal de Isabel II manages the aid of the Action Plan for protection and adaptation to flood risks and environmental integration in urban centers, for which the Regional Executive has allocated 2,781 euros.
Self-protection measures
According to data from the regional government, 34.53 percent of the budget should be executed before the end of the year. In this sense, they have already been authorized six projects to act in more than 20 kilometers, as well as in several municipalities from the middle and lower bed of the Jarama and other towns such as Arroyomolinos, Belmonte de Tajo, Fuenlabrada and Torrejón de Velasco.
In critical cases, such as last year, these situations are accompanied by the ES-Alert system, a mass sending of mobile alerts to the population in the affected areas. These communications send a powerful sound warning to phones, accompanied by a written message indicating the self-protection measures that citizens must adopt.
Avoid using private transportation
In case of heavy rain, it is recommended not to use the car. If necessary, avoid driving on affected roads or on roads where water is circulating, because if it covers half of the wheel it is dangerous.
Get on the roof of the car and call 112
If you are in the car and cannot get to a safe place, the roof is the safest place. Access it through a window or door opposite the direction of the current. It is necessary to bring a mobile phone with battery to call 112.
If you are at home, go up to the highest place
Preliminary verification work will help prevent flooding. In addition to having prepared an emergency kit, with documentation, shelter and food. Positioning yourself at the highest place offers greater security.
Stay away from open spaces without trees
To protect yourself from lightning, you should avoid open spaces without trees because they are the highest point and are therefore more exposed to lightning strikes. Also, do not take shelter under trees or large isolated rocks.
“We want citizens to know what are the ways to ensure safety in a risky situation and for municipalities to be able to prevent dangerous situations by carrying out the tasks corresponding to the presence of major storms,” explained Pedro Ruiz, director of the Madrid 112 Security and Emergency Agency (ASEM 112). That is why the Regional Executive will broadcast on its social networks, with the hashtag #INUNCAM24, Recommendations for action in the face of these adverse weather phenomena and the measures that should be taken before, during and after these episodes to minimize the dangers. “Stagnant water and moving water are completely different elements: the first is predictable for everyone; Secondly, we are not aware of all the damage it is capable of doing,” warned community firefighter Alfonso Segura.
In order to protect the population, the campaign also stresses that in the event of storms, it is advisable to check the condition of the roofs, downspouts, pipes or sewers of their homes. It is also necessary to protect the access doors from the outside in low places, such as garages, with wood or sandbags to prevent the entry of water and mud. If you must stay at home until conditions improve, it is advisable to have a emergency kitwith documentation, first aid kit, food, flashlight and charged cell phone.
