Spain – Deadly Floods in Asturias

by in Europe, News

Four people have died in landslides and flooding caused by days of heavy rains in northern Spain.

The fatalities occurred in in the Principality of Asturias, a region of northwest Spain. One of the victims was swept away by flooding from an overflowing river in Tineo. The other victims died in separate incidents in Laviana, Mieres and Salas when their vehicles were either swept from the roads or caught in landslides.

Search and rescue teams in Tineo, Asturias Spain January 2019. Photo: SEPA / Bomberos de Asturias

The Asturias Emergency Coordination Centre said it received a total of 2,205 calls for assistance during the severe weather. Emergency services evacuated around 40 people from a hospital in Arriondas on Thursday 24 January due to flooding.

Several roads and schools were also closed. On 24 January the Government of Asturias said emergency workers were attending around 160 incidents of flooding and storm damage.

Regional government delegates visited Laviana and Mieres on 24 January to assess the damage.

Rivers and Rainfall

According to figures from Spain’s AEMET, Aller in Asturias recorded 220.6mm of rain in 3 days to 24 January.

Several rivers in the region also exceeded alert levels, in particular the Narcea River at Quinzanas, the Sella River at Arriondas and the Nalón River at El Condado.

Narcea river at Quinzanas, Asturias, Spain, January 2019. Image: Confederación Hidrográfica del Cantábrico
Nalón River at El Condado, Asturias, Spain, January 2019. Image: Confederación Hidrográfica del Cantábrico
Sella river at Ariondas, Asturias, Spain, January 2019. Image: Confederación Hidrográfica del Cantábrico

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Flood Summary

Last updated: January 25, 2019
Event
Northern Spain, January 2019
Date
January 23, 2019
Type
Landslide, River flood
Cause
Extreme rainfall, Long-term rainfall

Locations

A - Laviana
B - Mieres
C - Arriondas
D - Pola de Laviana
E - Lugones
F - Noreña
G - Tineo
H - Salas
I - Narcea River at Quinzanas - River level 4.026 metres
J - Sella River, Arriondas - River level 6.82 metres
K - Nalón River at El Condado - River level 4.52 metres
L - Salas - Rainfall level 60.4 mm in 24 hours
M - Aller - Rainfall level 115 mm in 24 hours
N - Salas - Rainfall level 72.8 mm in 24 hours
O - Mieres - Rainfall level 66.8 mm in 24 hours
P - Amieva - Rainfall level 43.2 mm in 24 hours
Q - Ruente - Rainfall level 83.6 mm in 24 hours
R - La Gándara - Rainfall level 71.90 mm in 24 hours

Magnitude

River level
4.026 metres
Narcea River at Quinzanas - January 23 to January 23, 2019
All river info via Figures via Confederación Hidrográfica del Cantábrico. Alert level for Narcea River at Quinzanas is 2.90
River level
6.82 metres
Sella River, Arriondas - January 24 to January 24, 2019
Alert level is 6.5
River level
4.52 metres
Nalón River at El Condado - January 24 to January 24, 2019
Alert level is 3.6
Rainfall level
60.4 mm in 24 hours
Salas - January 22 to January 22, 2019
All rainfall figures via AEMET unless otherwise stated.
Rainfall level
115 mm in 24 hours
Aller - January 23 to January 23, 2019
Rainfall level
72.8 mm in 24 hours
Salas - January 23 to January 23, 2019
Rainfall level
66.8 mm in 24 hours
Mieres - January 23 to January 23, 2019
Rainfall level
43.2 mm in 24 hours
Amieva - January 24 to January 24, 2019
Rainfall level
83.6 mm in 24 hours
Ruente - January 24 to January 25, 2019
Figures via Confederación Hidrográfica del Cantábrico
Rainfall level
71.90 mm in 24 hours
La Gándara - January 24 to January 25, 2019
Figures via Confederación Hidrográfica del Cantábrico

Damages

Fatalities
4 people
Asturias, Spain - January 23 to January 25, 2019
Evacuated
40 people
Arriondas - January 23 to January 24, 2019
Emergency services evacuated around 40 people from a hospital in Arriondas

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