Cádiz closes parks and suspends cleaning due to 120 km/h winds

The decree signed by the mayor specifies that the activation of the Local Territorial Emergency Plan is declared in Emergency Phase, Operational Situation 1, and that the CECOPAL is formally constituted under the direction of the mayor to centralize the direction, monitoring and coordination of emergency actions in the municipal area. The meeting of the Civil Protection Board was also attended by the Municipal Secretary of the City Council, according to the note. At the meeting each delegation presented the prior work carried out in recent days and the arrangements prepared to cover incidents, and it served to increase coordination between areas.

The parks, gardens and wooded areas of Cádiz have been closed and cordoned off since this Wednesday. Also closed are the sports, cultural and municipal facilities that could be affected by the wind or the coastal storm, and outdoor activities are suspended. The measure comes with an orange warning from the State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) for wind gusts that may reach 120 kilometres per hour in the city and along the entire Cádiz coast. Since 12.00 this midday, the municipal street cleaning and waste collection, maintenance, playgrounds and parks and gardens services are stopped for as long as the orange warning lasts. The City Council asks people to avoid unnecessary travel and, if they must move, not to pass through areas near the sea. Nor should sports be practised in the water: the Civil Protection Board has warned of the danger of these activities.

The social care operation is reinforced for homeless people and vulnerable groups. The City Council has added 30 beds to those available in its facilities and plans to enable another space if necessary. Surveillance is stepped up along the coast, the seafront promenades and the points where cornices, signage or street furniture could come loose, with restriction of pedestrian and vehicle traffic if necessary. Update notices and self-protection recommendations are disseminated through the Consistory's official channels. The decision was taken at the meeting of the Civil Protection Board held at the City Council, chaired by the mayor, Bruno García, and with the participation of councillors and technicians from Cleaning and Environment, Parks and Gardens, Local Police, Civil Protection, Urban Maintenance, Urban Planning and Social Services, from Eléctrica de Cádiz and Aguas de Cádiz, and from the Fire Brigade. The mayor signed the decree that activates the Local Territorial Emergency Plan in Operational Situation 1 and constitutes the Municipal Operational Coordination Centre (CECOPAL), which he himself directs. The plan mobilizes the Local Action Groups in coordination with the Fire Consortium, the health services and 112 Andalucía. The mayor has asked citizens to take extreme caution and avoid unnecessary travel.