Torrevieja City Council suspends outdoor activities and closes Parks and Gardens due to the red alert for extreme temperatures

The Torrevieja City Council has decreed the temporary suspension of outdoor activities and the closure of parks and gardens on Thursday, July 23, as a preventive measure in response to the red alert for extreme temperatures issued by the Valencian Agency for Security and Emergencies for the southern coast of the province of Alicante and the forecast of adverse weather phenomena associated with this episode of extreme heat.

According to information provided by the State Meteorological Agency (AEMET), maximum temperatures of up to 42°C could be reached during the central hours of the day in the southern coastal area of the province of Alicante. This situation is compounded by a yellow alert for the probability of strong gusts of wind and even episodes of thunderstorms with hail, which increases the risk to the population and to outdoor activities.

Given this scenario, and following the recommendations issued by the Valencian Agency for Security and Emergency Response and by the Emergency Coordination Center of the Valencian Government, the City Council has adopted a series of extraordinary measures with the aim of protecting citizens and minimizing the risks arising from this weather event.

Among the measures agreed upon are the closure of all parks and gardens in the city, as well as the suspension of all outdoor activities organized by the City Council. Similarly, all outdoor sports activities are suspended at the Sports Complex and all other municipal sports facilities, with the sole exception of the outdoor swimming pool, which will remain open until 2:30 p.m. Outdoor activities for summer programs held at schools and daycare centers throughout the municipality are also suspended.

As a measure to support the population during this period of extreme heat, the City Council will open two municipal buildings as climate shelters. The Virgen del Carmen Cultural Center will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., while the La Mata Sports Pavilion will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., offering residents and visitors air-conditioned spaces to escape the high temperatures.

Furthermore, given the forecast that extreme temperatures may coincide with strong gusts of wind or storms during the afternoon, the City Council has decreed the suspension of all outdoor activities in the Sports City and in the rest of the municipal facilities from 3:00 p.m.

Similarly, if the predicted episode of strong winds is confirmed, the red flag may be raised on the municipality's beaches, prohibiting swimming for safety reasons. Beachgoers are also advised to remove umbrellas and any other items that could be blown away by the wind to avoid hazardous situations.

The Torrevieja City Council recommends that all residents avoid prolonged sun exposure during the hottest hours of the day, stay properly hydrated, reduce outdoor physical activity, and limit non-essential travel, especially for the elderly, children, and people with cardiovascular conditions or other illnesses that could be aggravated by high temperatures. The public transport service will operate normally throughout the day.

The City Council also reports that the various municipal services will remain coordinated throughout the day to continuously monitor the evolution of the weather situation and adapt, if necessary, the preventive measures that guarantee the safety of residents and visitors.

The City Council reminds everyone that all these measures are strictly preventative and will remain in effect throughout Thursday, July 23, or until weather conditions allow for a return to normal activity, appealing to the responsibility and cooperation of all citizens to minimize the risks arising from this episode of extreme heat.