Does Oliva flood
Thinking of buying in Oliva not far fromPego Oliva National Park. I wondered whether the area was subject to flooding particularly around the dreaded September time. Thanks
Thanks but I’d already read the article in the Oki
Live oressWe have witnessed the gota fria first hand further up the coast so wondered specifically if there were issues in Oliva as I could not find any direct reference to flooding this year or last year. Any info or websites would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
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Sorry, I can't help you with specifics but geographically much of Oliva is 5 metres above sea level. Dolores, which has been devastated is 4 metres above. The land was formed by the rivers bringing silt down from the mountains, overflowing the banks and then slowing, dumping the silt. There are rivers close-by and marshland, just as in the Vega Baja and with this last Gota Fría the sheer amount of rain which fell in just a couple of days overwhelmed man-made flood defence systems. The Northern Costa Blanca is usually wetter than the south but the Gota Fría can strike anywhere, it just depends where the most rain falls at the time. There are no guarantees but the closer you are to rivers, marshes and mountains, and the flatter the land, the higher the risk will be.
In the news articles following this storm there was an old map showing that the town I live outside of, Albatera, was coastal, we are now 30-45 minutes drive inland but after the storm it looked as if nature had done her best to show just who is the boss.
maybe just make the assumption it will flood unless compelling contrary evidence is provided or price accordingly?
I've seen a villa near Algorfa reduced by EUR 20k over the last couple of weeks - and it's been priced solidly for a while. It was up for EUR 169k with a pool now EUR 149k - it might be we will see more of this re adjustment in prices as people think twice about where they buy. Its unusual to see such a seismic shift in price as normally they come down by 5 or 10k in this price bracket.
It's a pity as anyone with a property which floods anywhere in the world can end up with a mill stone around their neck :(
Buyer beware, is good advice.
Just because an area didn't flood this time is no guarantee that it won't the next or the next after that, much depends on exactly where the rain falls.
History may give you an indication but with global warming and climate change causing record breaking weather events across the globe nobody can predict or even guess what might happen in the future, or where, or when, so the only real defence against flooding is make sure that you buy on high land.
A word of caution about buying property at a knock down price.
Most will have a value registered at the Town Hall which won't necessarily be adjusted down due to flooding and that means somewhere down the road, quite possibly years, you could receive an unwelcome bill for the difference!
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