Valencian Community on special alert due to strong winds from the Oriana squall with extreme risk in Castellón

The Comunidade Valenciana emergency services issued a special alert (ES-Alert) for the entire region due to the strong winds caused by the Oriana storm. The maximum risk level, red alert, comes into force at Castellón from the early hours of this Saturday, February 14, 2026, with forecast gusts that could exceed 140 km/h. Autoridades ask the population to avoid unnecessary travel and limit calls to 112 only for real emergencies.

The Oriana storm, which follows Nils, keeps much of Península Ibérica under intense weather warnings. Regiões as well as Cataluña, Baleares and the Mediterranean coast recorded significant impacts, including injuries, transport disruptions and material damage. Agência Estatal from Meteorologia (Aemet) highlights that the peak of the storm occurs between Friday and Saturday.

The situation requires maximum caution in exposed areas, especially in the interior and northern coast of Castellón. Medidas preventive measures have already been adopted in several provinces, with the closure of parks, suspension of events and constant monitoring of infrastructure.

Impacts recorded in Cataluña and Baleares

Catalonia faces serious consequences from the strong winds associated with the storm. Pelo minus 86 people were injured in the region, two of them seriously and one in critical condition, due to falling trees, poles and parts of structures.

In Barcelona, a woman died after the partial collapse of the roof of an industrial building caused by intense gusts. Bombeiros responded to more than 3,495 calls related to the storm in the province.

In Ilhas Baleares, winds caused more than 380 incidents, including flight delays at Palma airport and temporary port closures. Autoridades locations maintain high vigilance, although the intensity begins to gradually decrease.

Preventive measures at Comunidade Valenciana

Generalitat Valenciana emergencies raised the alert to red level throughout the province of Castellón, predicting maximum gusts between 130 and 140 km/h throughout Saturday. The special warning sent by message to cell phones reinforces the recommendation of maximum caution.

Several cities have suspended outdoor events, including Carnaval parades, and closed parks and coastal areas. Escolas and sports facilities also adopted restrictions to protect the population.

• Closure of ports in Valencia and Alicante until maritime conditions improve.
• Suspension of non-essential school activities in higher risk areas.
• Reinforcement of monitoring of electrical lines and vulnerable structures.
• Guidance for securing loose objects in homes and businesses.

Water situation and floods in other regions

Andalusia keeps thousands of people homeless due to the intense rains accumulated in recent weeks, now worsened by the new fronts. Mais of 3,000 residents have not yet returned to their homes in provinces such as Málaga, Cádiz and Sevilha.

Reservoirs in basins such as Guadalquivir and Douro operate close to maximum capacity, with controlled releases to prevent overflows. Autoridades hydrographic agencies monitor 28 points on red alert on the river Tejo.

In Castela and Leão, dams remain under special surveillance, while gradual improvements are observed in León. Estradas remain closed in several provinces, totaling more than 150 cuts across the country.

Material damage and transport interruptions

The storm caused hundreds of trees to fall in Sevilha and damage sports facilities, such as FC Cidade Esportiva. Em Menorca, electrical poles and public lights were knocked down by the gusts.

Airports recorded dozens of canceled or diverted flights, especially in Barcelona and Palma of Maiorca. Linhas high-speed vehicles faced delays due to objects on the road, although circulation was restored.

Ports such as Algeciras, Tarifa and Ibiza have suspended maritime operations, affecting connections with Ceuta and between islands. Mais of 60 highways remain closed, mainly in the south and east of the peninsula.

Forecast for the next few hours

Aemet indicates that the most intense winds are concentrated on the Levantine coast and Baleares during this Friday, migrating to Castellón on Saturday. Abundant Precipitações accompanies the system, with accumulations that can reach 180 liters per square meter in isolated areas of Cádiz.

Snowfall at low levels affects the northern interior, while oil remains high in the Mediterrâneo. Gradual stabilization is expected from Sunday, with colder air entering.

Civil protection authorities across the country maintain activated emergency plans, coordinating actions between autonomous communities. Collaboration between the agricultural, energy and transport sectors seeks to minimize additional losses.

Effects on critical infrastructure

Several cities recorded interruptions in electricity supply, especially in Alicante and Tarragona, due to downed lines. Equipes maintenance staff work to restore service as quickly as possible.

In Granada, an extraordinary package of 43 million euros was activated for urgent repairs to damaged roads and public equipment. Municípios and Don Benito request a declaration of a severely affected zone to expedite resources.

Sagrada Família in Barcelona suffered displacement of the roof plate, without compromising the main structure. Inspeções techniques are in progress to assess possible additional risks.

Cultural facilities such as Alcazaba and Castillo of Gibralfaro, in Málaga, remain closed as a precaution. Acesso to Sierra Nevada were also restricted due to landslides.

Response from authorities and gradual return

More than 200 people evacuated in Málaga have already been authorized to return to their homes after a safety assessment. Em Córdoba, a similar situation benefited dozens of preventively displaced families.

Navarra has activated the pre-emergency phase for flood risk, while Cataluña sends new ES-Alert messages informing the gradual reduction of mobility restrictions. Governos regions coordinate with Ministério of Agricultura to survey damage in the primary sector.

Quitanieves were mobilized in the northwest of the peninsula, with more than 100 thousand tons of flux prepared to face possible snowfall. Continuous Monitoramento ensures rapid response to new incidents.