Good advice for another Gota Fria in the Valencia Comunidad

Description:

Club Torrevieja’s advice for the Gota Fria.

It’s been hot and sunny over the last week, a welcome change from the deluge of rain that signalled a warning sign for the possibility of future bad weather during the winter season. The wet weather is particularly tortuous for motorists, many of whom have never driven in flood conditions before, or had to wade knee deep in water to reach the kerb. Club Torrevieja Classics and Specialists cars have just celebrated their third anniversary and with it, are launching a new Driver Awareness campaign. Last year they put out a bulletin about coping with a Gota Fria and since it’s fresh in our memories, here is a recap for you.

In the Country of the Sun it can also rain, said the Valencian Government on their information sticker it gave out at the Gota Fría in 1987 which devastated the region of the Vega Baja and the road system. You should leave your car if there is danger of Flooding because a car does not make a good boat! As the leaflet says, the thing is that in Spain when it rains it really rains and in the last shower we had my rain gauge registered 100 litres in 1½ hours! If torrential rains are forecast, or rain begins to fall persistently prepare yourself for flooding, return home quickly or find somewhere high away from flooding.

Always make sure you follow the advice of the Protection Civil and you will help the rescue operations to be carried out quickly. Do not forget where your wellies are because shoes will be useless. If you have a garage under the house then get your car out quickly because there could be 2 to 3 feet of water in it within two hours of the first drop of rain. Keep your petrol tank as full as possible and as mentioned before only use your car if it is really necessary and if you are in it never wait in the car whilst the water on the road rises.

The speed that the water arrives still catches people unaware. 

The tarmac in Spain is designed to cope with heat and not melt as in Britain but unlike Britain it does not have good gripping power in the wet. Be aware of dips in the road or road humps that act as a dam and suddenly you can be in an extra 2 foot of water! If it rains at night and you have to get back home you will not have a good idea what is around you and normal points such as kerbs and road signs will not be there, therefore be especially careful.

Never park your car over a manhole cover as they can be pushed up by the water pressure. Always be aware that as seaside Town, Torrevieja is built on a hill, therefore all roads running down will become a river of water and the danger is underneath the surface which will have the greatest pressure and run faster so crossing the road can be very dangerous.

Always have your car checked after it has been in deep water as gear boxes have been known to rust, electrical systems and light bulbs may not work correctly and brakes may start to rust. For more information please contact David from Club Torrevieja on 96 571 6360.

News story by Keith Nicol mcij (Tel: (+34) 609 06 36 14)

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