MotoGP, Ricardo Tormo Circuit: "we are assessing the damage ahead of the Grand Prix."

In recent hours the Spanish region has been hit by an extreme weather event. Spanish authorities say that in eight hours, as much rain has fallen in Valencia as falls in a year. As El Pais writes, the State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) raised the alert level from orange to red yesterday at 8 a.m. for Valencia's southern coast, where 90 liters had accumulated in just one hour. It was estimated that rainfall could have been 150 to 180 liters per square meter, but in the end more than 445 liters were detected, according to provisional data.

Among the affected areas is the Ricardo Tormo circuit, although after an initial inspection the state of the track is optimal, most of the access and parking infrastructure was seriously damaged and in need of urgent repairs ahead of the Gran Premio Motul de la Comunitat Valenciana, the last round of the motorcycle world championship on November 15-17. It seems that more than 200 liters per square meter fell in less than twelve hours, and more importantly, the mudslide and other elements of the Sechera ravine and the Barranco del Poyo, next to the Circuit, were the cause of the damage to the parking lots and the main access to the Cheste facilities.

About a hundred people had to spend the night in different places in the Cheste facilities. The gymnasium, offices, and other places away from power were used as temporary shelters for the circuit's pit and grandstand assembly workers, part of the Formula E logistics team, and maintenance, security, and office staff at Circuit Ricardo Tormo.

'The most important thing is that all the people who were at the Circuit are okay, everyone was able to spend the night safely at the Circuit's facilities,' said Nicolás Collado, general manager of the Circuit. 'We are now beginning a damage assessment process that will tell us to what extent this DANA will affect the celebration of our upcoming events with full guarantees,' he added. The situation is such that the army has been mobilized, at the moment the death toll has risen to 52, hundreds are missing. Flights have been diverted and rail transport has been suspended.

Prime Minister Sanchez : "The emergency continues, do not go to the streets. In 8 hours the rain of a year has fallen." Valencia City Council has meanwhile announced that schools and parks will be closed today, and all sporting events canceled