Spain’s Weather Alerts: Are You Sure Your Phone Is Set Up To Receive Them?

On September 28 and 29, torrential rainfall deed nan Costa Blanca, placing nan region nether an orangish alert. However, a sizeable number of residents did not person nan Civil Protection aliases AEMET warnings — raising nan question: are our phones decently group up to person these alerts?

During nan 2024 DANA storm, which brought terrible flooding and chaos to Valencia and different parts of eastbound Spain, galore residents reported receiving nan Civil Protection informing excessively precocious — successful immoderate cases, aft nan worst of nan large wind had already passed. The incident highlighted nan system’s early shortcomings and led to important improvements successful really ES-Alert operates. Since then, updates and amended coordination betwixt emergency services and mobile providers person ensured that alerts are now delivered more quickly and reliably crossed nan country.

The ES-Alert strategy was introduced crossed nan European Union successful 2022, requiring each personnel states to found mobile-based emergency alert systems. In Spain, ES-Alert operates connected some Android and iOS devices, providing warnings astir imminent risks.

Manual activation

Level 1 alerts — nan astir urgent — are activated automatically and require nary configuration. However, Level 2 alerts, which screen little contiguous threats, whitethorn require manual activation successful your telephone settings.

For iPhone users (iOS 15.6 aliases later):

Go to Settings → Notifications, scroll down, and alteration Civil Protection Pre-alerts.

For Android users (Android 11 aliases later):

Open Settings, past prime either Notifications aliases Safety and Emergency, and move connected Allow alerts nether Wireless emergency alerts.

Civil Protection alerts are transmitted via mobile antennas to each devices wrong a sum area. Phones receiving them show a full-screen message, accompanied by a large reside and vibration — moreover if nan instrumentality is connected silent aliases “Do Not Disturb” mode.

System improved

The system’s extremity is to guarantee that everyone successful nan affected area receives important accusation successful existent clip during emergencies. According to El País, ES-Alert has improved connection during situation situations, but users must guarantee nan correct settings are enabled to person alerts promptly.

If you person 1 of these messages, stay calm, publication it carefully, travel nan instructions, and alert anyone adjacent who whitethorn not person received it.