An AEMET boss argues that the first signs of the Dana were recorded nine days before the flood | News from the Valencian Community

The Head of Climatology of the Spanish Meteorology Agency (Aemet) in the Valencian Community, José Ángel Núñez, has exhibited in the Court of Catarroja (Valencia) that the DANA criminally investigates that “the first signs of formation” of the catastrophe were recorded on Sunday, October 20. The prognosis of the state agency arrived nine days before the tragedy that left 228 deaths and a trail of destruction in the province of Valencia.

« That day, the AEMET makes a national prediction on the following days. On October 21, intense and abundant rainfall is not ruled out, » said Núñez, professor and geographer, during his judicial appearance as a witness. A condition that forces you to tell the truth and to answer all parties: judge, fiscal, defenses and popular and particular accusations.

He stated that the state agency warned eight days before the cold drop of risk. And the same day of the tragedy, at 7.36, issued a red notice, the maximum of the scale and is approved before a rain forecast of more than 180 liters per square meter. « At 7.39 it was published on Twitter (the red warning). » « It is something very exceptional. In 2024, it was the first (alert of this type) and in 2023 there was only one notice of that category, » said the command in court.

He has also accurately reported the position of the AEMET the notice chain issued by the state agency. And how the extreme risk increased as approximated on October 29. « On Thursday 24, it is already specified that the most affected areas would be the Mediterranean area, the Valencian Community and Murcia, » he detailed. « And on Friday 25, a more specific prediction was made about uncertainty: from tomorrow, a Dana from north to south will be drawn up, » he said.

After presenting himself as a professional with 43 years of experience, the position has affirmed that he has prepared « all his life » to face a crisis like that of the Dana. And that on October 29 he barely slept because he knew that « something fat » was going to happen.

Mazón’s « very rare » appearance

Núñez has presumed to have a « documented memory » of the Dana. And he has indicated that the appearance of the President Carlos Mazón on the morning of thrombus. The Popular Baron indicated at 11.47 hours of that day that the storm was going to the Serranía de Cuenca and that in the afternoon would send. « I took out the impression that (Mazón) wanted to reassure. » In his opinion, the popular leader handled data from the Automatic Hydrological Information System (SAIH), which controls the flows, from the Júcar Hydrographic Confederation (CHJ).

He has abounded in the impact caused by this intervention of Mazón. « The appearance of President It was the first incomprehensible moment of the day. ”And he has pointed out the surprise that generated that the Generalitat only advised to avoid the circulation of vehicles, despite the fact that the red warning affected three quarters of autonomy. » There were more indications than enough that the situation was very serious. Flooded villages, areas where doctors did not arrive, … ”

After Mazón’s statement, Núñez posted a message on the social network X to warn of real risk. It was at 12.27 hours. « The situation was very serious and was going to continue for the next few hours. » The Generalitat did not send the mass message to mobiles up to eight hours later, at 20.11. The letter came when dead, missing and people trapped in low floors in populations such as Paiporta or Catarroja.

To disassemble one of the defense strategies of the Mazón Executive, which has wielded that it did not act before in the tragedy because it was not warned by government agencies, Núñez explained that there is a fluid relationship between the Autonomic Emergency Department and the state agency. « There were 24 calls or call attempts (Dana Day). And it was warned that the worst was going to happen after 3 pm, » he recalled. Núñez’s assertion clashes with Mazón’s forecast, which minutes before leaving at the central Valencian restaurant The ventorro minimized the risk. The decision of the University of Valencia was exaggerated to suspend classes for the storm.

Núñez has affirmed that they label the Generalitat in all messages of the AEMET in the social network X (formerly Twitter). And, therefore, the autonomous administration knew the dimension of the catastrophe. « We cannot manage the risk, the Generalitat has to do it, » he said.

At the gates of the City of Justice of Valencia, Núñez has advanced that he will defend before the judge the thesis that the Aemet warned in advance of the flood. And that will tell the magistrate « everything relevant » that happened in the Aciaga Day.

The Chief of the Aemet charged last February against the « lack of leadership » at the Cecopi meeting – the emergency body that coordinated the crisis – of the tragedy day. The expert, who took notes from the aciaga day through WhatsApp messagesit came to war