From Press Release
Xàbia prepares for a Gota Fría
Police to inform schools of weather alerts
Jávea. Thursday, September 22, 2011.
The Councillor for Public Safety, John Ortolá, yesterday afternoon held a meeting with all the security bodies and voluntary groups to plan and coordinate their functions in the face of a possible episode of heavy rainfall. As the councillor explained, the high September temperatures and current sea temperature of 26 degrees are risk factors that can lead to a "Gota Fría". Therefore, they are working with the Department of Environment and Services for the immediate cleaning of drains in the areas most prone to flooding, such as the Avenidas de La Fontana, Libertad and calles Niza and Santísimo Cristo del Mar. These had already been cleared but will now be reviewed to remove the fallen leaves which have collected in recent days.
They have also prepared a list of the gulleys and bridges that need clearing over the coming days and those which pose problems, such as the Gorgos River bed which has excess "bamboo" and eucalyptus trees which could block bridges if wrenched off by the current.
The meeting, which was attended by officers of the Local Police, Guardia Civil, Provincial Fire brigade, Red Cross, Civil Protection and Fire Volunteers from Balcon al Mar, also served to review the tasks that each group is assigned in the Emergency Plan of the municipality.
As a new initiative, the Town Hall has decided to send all schools and nurseries orange alerts and notices relating to risk by heavy rains, so they can decide to plan preventive measures. They have also prepared a booklet with recommendations in case of storms and flooding for parents and a leaflet for the general public.
The Councillor stressed that this type of action is not to frighten people, but ensure that everyone is properly informed about how to react if faced with a difficult situation.
From Press Release