The consequences of a DANA, if it is particularly intense, can lead to emergency situations. When vehicles are in trouble, roadside assistance must be there for us.
Driving in a cold drop is risky, to say the least. And around here we are very used to cold drops, or in other words, isolated upper-level depressions, better known by the Spanish acronym DANA. Especially in autumn. The term DANA has replaced the concept of the cold drop, and describes the isolated pockets of cold air that generate, among other things, disproportionate rainfall, according to the State Meteorological Agency (AEMET).
However, it seems that the seasonal nature of the DANA has been overcome in this atypical spring, with recent episodes battering much of the country. The first of them brought up to 150 litres per square metre in parts of Valencia and Alicante, according to AEMET data. Heavy rain, strong winds, hail… are the typical consequences of this atmospheric phenomenon.
Murcia has been affected again, within a short space of time. Cartagena once again turned into a stream capable of sweeping people away, damaging homes and carrying off cars. The east coast has been particularly affected, from end to end.
Ideally, don't take the vehicle, making the emergency services' work easier
The Generalitat itself asked people to avoid travelling. As well as avoiding accidents, it is very important to keep the roads clear so that the emergency services (firefighters, health services, Civil Protection and, of course, roadside assistance) can carry out their work safely and quickly. Incidents vary and range from crashes of greater or lesser severity to falling objects and obstacles on public roads, closed roads…
Grúas La Variante, a REAC member, has posted videos and photos on its social media of some of its call-outs during this latest DANA. Vehicles trapped in large pools of water (typical of this kind of phenomenon), floods, etc., even at night. A context, without a doubt, in which recovering vehicles is extremely difficult.
If we find ourselves caught in a period of heavy rain that could lead to flooding, the most sensible thing is to stop the vehicle and get out of it. Avoid roads and through roads, and drive on the right, precisely so that emergency professionals can reach their destinations. Roadside assistance operators among them.