Coinciding with the commemoration of half a century since the sky ‘collapsed over Almería’, the Zurgena Town Hall and the Southeast Meteorological Association (AMETSE), announce the celebration of a day in which the episodes that occurred in the province in 1973 and at other times throughout history will be analysed. It will take place on Saturday 14 October from 11:30 a.m. in the Teatro Municipal de Zurgena.
It will review the characteristics of Almeria’s climate, the possibility of suffering similar catastrophic episodes and their recurrence periods. The Town Hall will pay tribute to the families of the victims of the ‘cold drop’ which devastated the town fifty years ago, with the presentation of plaques in memory of those affected and an exhibition of photographs of the floods and videos with testimonies of those who lived through them.
Zurgena is considered the epicentre of that catastrophic rainfall and, since then, holds the national rainfall record which, according to the National Meteorological Institute, can be set at around 800 litres per square metre in just over 24 hours, among other records that place this town on the world map of the most intense rainfall.
The day’s proceedings will be as follows:
11:30 a.m.: Introduction and welcome. The journalist Guillermo Mirón, in charge of conducting the event, will speak. Afterwards, the mayor of Zurgena, Domingo Trabalón, will welcome the participants and attendees.
11:50 a.m.: Presentation of the report on the events of 1973. Analysis of the climatology in Zurgena and, in general, in the province of Almería. Interesting and historical data on the episodes experienced by Eduardo Romay (AMETSE).
12:25 p.m. Coffee break. Coffee break.
12:35 hours: Projection of meteorological photography. By Jose Miguel García García, author of the book ‘Los Hijos del Cielo’ (The Children of the Sky) and winner of numerous national awards dedicated to ‘meteo’ photography.
13:00 hours: Talk: Expansion of the meteosouth network in Almería. Conference on the network of stations spread throughout the province, the importance of having information on the weather in real time and its important role in forecasting the possible consequences of adverse phenomena. Speakers: Ginés Mirón Gallego (spokesperson for the Southeast Meteorological Association AMETSE) and David Cutillas García, head of the MeteoSE Network in the province of Almería.
13:30: Final speech by Domingo Trabalón to announce the awarding of tribute plaques to the families of the victims of the floods of 73 and a display of images and videos of those days.
The Mayor will finally close the day.