Balearic storms trigger nine tree-fall incidents
Balearic storms had prompted nine call-outs across the Balearic Islands by about 20:00 on 20 August, all involving fallen trees and none serious. Five incidents had been dealt with while four remained open, emergency chief Aurelio Soto said in Palma, Mallorca, after a meeting of the Plan Meteobal technical advisory committee.
Rain, thunderstorms, strong wind gusts and rough seas were expected to continue until dawn. Authorities said it was not certain the storms would reach the islands, as they could instead break over the sea.
Strong winds expected to pose greatest risk
The State Meteorological Agency, Aemet, said a fast-moving line of thunderstorms was expected to reach Eivissa at about 21:00, Mallorca at about 23:00 and Menorca at about 01:00. Gusts of 70 to 90 kilometres per hour were forecast, with Eivissa potentially seeing gusts of up to 100 kilometres per hour.
Rainfall was not expected to exceed 40 litres per square metre, even in the most extreme cases. The storms could also bring lightning and isolated, generally light hail. Soto said difficulties for some boats returning to port were also a concern.
Alerts raised and emergency teams reinforced
The Directorate-General for Emergencies and the Interior raised the Plan Meteobal rain and thunderstorm alert to orange across the archipelago from midday. A yellow warning for coastal phenomena was in force on every island, while Menorca also had a yellow alert for rissaga.
Emergency centres on Eivissa and Menorca were reinforced, and Palma, Eivissa, Maó and Artà activated their municipal emergency plans. The Balearic Institute of Nature added 25 personnel to brigades across the islands, while fire services in Palma, Mallorca, Menorca, Eivissa and Formentera were also strengthened.
Emergency services were due to review developments at 21:00 and decide whether another meeting at 23:00 was needed.
Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com