85 incidents related to the windstorm were attended to yesterday afternoon in Torrevieja

Torrevieja City Council reports that the Local Police, together with the municipal services of Emergencies, Parks and Gardens, Firefighters and the concessionary companies, attended to a total of 85 incidents during the afternoon of Wednesday, January 28, as a result of the episode of strong gusts of wind that affected the municipality, coinciding with the orange alert decreed by AEMET.

Between 4:00 PM and 7:00 PM, 43 calls were received through the 112 emergency number and 42 direct calls from citizens, resulting in a significant increase in the Local Police's operational activity. The majority of incidents were related to inclement weather, totaling 66 interventions, in addition to incidents involving fallen trees and branches, property damage, irregularities in public roads, and traffic accidents without injuries, among other isolated incidents.

As part of the operation activated by the Municipal Operational Coordination Center (CECOPAL), the incidents addressed were primarily related to fallen trees and plant debris, the occasional collapse of structural elements, and the displacement of waste containers, which temporarily affected safety and traffic in various parts of the municipality. Notable incidents included a tree falling near the CEIP Nuestra Señora del Rosario school, affecting access, fencing, and power lines. Additionally, accumulations of brush and palm tree debris were reported on several urban roads, causing temporary traffic diversions and posing hazards to vehicles. These incidents were resolved without any injuries.

Among the most significant incidents were the collapse of a wall at 2 Torresal Street and the fall of a tree at the CEIP Nuestra Señora del Rosario school, which damaged the school's perimeter wall and telephone wiring. No injuries were reported in either case.

Additionally, it was necessary to preemptively cordon off "La Hormiga" park, address reports of cornices at risk of detachment, torn awnings, displaced solar panels, and broken windows, as well as inspect palm trees with structural risks. Several streets were temporarily closed, including Calle Mayte Pagazurtundua, Calle Freixa at the intersection with Joven Pura, Calle San Antonio nº 46, Calle Torresal nº 2, and Avenida Alfredo Nobel near the Repsol gas station. Traffic was subsequently restored to normal.

The mayor of Torrevieja, Eduardo Dolón, emphasized that “the rapid and effective coordination between the Local Police, Fire Department, Parks and Gardens, and the rest of the municipal services was key to guaranteeing the safety of residents during a severe weather event.” Dolón also stressed that “the City Council’s absolute priority is the protection of people, and therefore all necessary preventative measures were immediately activated, such as closing parks and cordoning off high-risk areas.”

The Parks and Gardens Department reports that the contracted company acted with the utmost speed from early afternoon through the night and into the following day to address the issues related to urban trees. Among the most notable actions was the removal of a large acacia tree that had fallen near the Nuestra Señora del Rosario School, as well as work on streets and avenues such as San José (La Mata), El Limonar and Flecha (El Chaparral), Avenida París, Avenida Cortes Valencianas, and Cala Ferris, among others.

This morning, after the reopening of the municipal parks that had been closed as a precaution, further work was carried out in areas such as Parque de la Estación, Plaza Europa, and Plaza de Todos los Santos, removing damaged trees and branches to ensure the safety of park users. In most cases, there were no injuries, and the material damage was isolated and contained, with all affected areas properly cordoned off and cleaned up.

The mayor wanted to expressly thank “the effort, professionalism and availability of all emergency services, municipal and concessionary companies, as well as the collaboration and responsibility of the citizens during the storm”, reminding everyone of the importance of “taking extreme precautions and always following the recommendations in the face of adverse weather warnings”.