The article centers around a WhatsApp exchange between Emilio Argüeso, the Secretary of Emergency, and Inmaculada Piles, head of the 112 Emergency Coordination service in Valencia, on October 28, 2024.
The chat reveals a lack of urgency and awareness regarding severe weather warnings issued by AEMET. Argüeso questions the severity of the situation, expressing doubt about the necessity of school closures due to weather alerts. Piles downplays the risk, highlighting the absence of significant incidents or hydrological risks despite considerable rainfall in Castellón.
The conversation indicates a failure to adequately assess and prepare for the impending storm. The officials' nonchalant exchange contrasts sharply with the ensuing catastrophic flooding in the Valencia region.
The next day, the conversation shifts to the developing crisis, reflecting the escalating severity of the situation. The exchange highlights a significant delay in recognizing the seriousness of the threat, culminating in a major disaster.
This WhatsApp conversation reveals a critical lack of preparedness and potentially flawed judgment in the face of impending severe weather, ultimately contributing to a disastrous outcome.