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ARCHIVED - Cartagena prepares flood evacuation plan ahead of possible torrential rains

ARCHIVED ARTICLE

The city has drawn up a plan to evacuate and shelter residents in case of severe flooding this autumn

<span style='color:#780948'>ARCHIVED</span> - Cartagena prepares flood evacuation plan ahead of possible torrential rains

Cartagena City Council has designed a specific plan to evacuate and shelter residents in each neighbourhood and district in the event of torrential rains.

The plan involves the mobilisation of employees and resources from five departments, and municipal services have drawn up a list of risk areas that would be worst hit by flooding if there is heavy rainfall in the next few months.

Los Alcázares has started the cleaning of its ramblas early this year, and Mazarrón has already begun washing out all its drains in order to prepare for the flood season.

Officials have also prepared a list of safe points, warning and evacuation systems, and 200 cot-beds have been acquired in case it is necessary to provide emergency shelter at a series of specially marked out social buildings, schools and sports halls.

Spain is on tenterhooks as a cyclone in the Atlantic shows chances of developing into a hurricane that would hit the Spanish mainland sometime next week. While Cartagena and the rest of the Murcia Region are not in the direct firing line, there are still fears of a particularly strong rainy season this year.

Mayor of Cartagena, Noelia Arroyo, has explained that, after the severe DANA storms of 2019, the services that acted in the rescues decided to create a specific plan that complements the Territorial Emergency Plan.

“The aim is to offer residents of sensitive areas a nearby and accessible place to go to in the event of the threat of torrential rain. When the threat passes, they will return to their homes and, if they have to spend the night, they will do so in safety and dignity because our officials will look after them,” said Arroyo.

She continued, “Our professionals are prepared to receive all evacuees, keep them identified from the outset, group them into family units and provide them with assistance, food and, if necessary, emergency accommodation.”

Image: Ayuntamiento de Cartagena

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