Orange alert for storms in the Pitiusas and concern for residents of illegal settlements

PalmThe Government's General Directorate of Emergencies and the Interior has activated Severity Index 1 (IG-1) and the State Meteorological Agency has issued an orange alert for the Pitiusas Islands due to the rain and storms expected in the coming hours. According to the details, intense rainfall is expected, with accumulations of up to 50 liters per square meter in one hour, with electrical activity, wind gusts of 50 km/h, and waves that could exceed two meters.

This weather situation has also raised alarm bells regarding the situation of residents of illegal settlements in both Ibiza and Formentera. The Director General of Emergencies, Pablo Gárriz, has stated that the major problem is that most of these settlements are located in flood-prone areas and close to torrents that are not prepared to handle a storm or heavy rainfall.

In response to this situation, several technicians from municipal services and the General Directorate of Emergencies are visiting the highest-risk areas to inform residents and analyze the cases, anticipate possible flooding and problems, and thus prepare for possible action.

Formentera suspends patron saint festivities

Following the declaration of an orange alert by the Aemet (Spanish Agency for the Protection of the Environment), the Formentera Island Council has decided to reschedule or cancel some of the events scheduled for this Thursday, as part of the Sant Jaume Festival.

According to a statement, the official event for Formentera's National Day, originally scheduled for today at 7:00 p.m., has been canceled and will be rescheduled for Friday, July 25, at 6:00 p.m. at the Jardí de ses Eres. The Concert Night has also been canceled, as has the performance by DJ Giorgio Sampler. This last performance has been rescheduled for Friday night, following the concerts by Maria Hein and Els Catarres.

In addition, the Antoni Blanc sports center and the Formentera Water Sports Center will be closed starting at 12 noon this Thursday as a precautionary measure, given the weather forecast. Sa Fireta, the open-air cinema, and music in the squares this Thursday are canceled.

The Consell stated that it will continue to monitor the weather and will promptly report any new changes to the festival program.

A 31-inch gust of rain in Ciutadella has prompted the re-activation of the alert.

The port of Ciutadella recorded several swells during the early hours of Thursday, although the maximum sea level recorded by the State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) did not exceed 80 centimeters.

However, the recurrence of these episodes and the unusual weather conditions have led to the reactivation of the flood alert starting at 8 a.m. in Menorca.

The waves have been occurring since Wednesday, when a maximum oscillation of 1.30 meters was recorded, causing no damage. The new rissaga alert will remain in effect until at least 9 p.m. Menorca is also on alert for northerly and northeasterly winds of up to 50 kilometers per hour and waves of two meters.

Delays at Palma airport due to bad weather

Palma Airport is experiencing some flight delays, both departing and arriving, due to bad weather and the forecast of rain and storms.

According to Enaire's social media reports, adverse weather warnings, in this case due to storms in the eastern peninsula and the Balearic Islands, may lead to safety restrictions. These regulations are causing widespread delays that, according to Aena, are expected to continue throughout the day. So far, there have been no flight diversions or cancellations to Son Sant Joan.