Stay ahead of potential risks and ensure the safety of your employees with Friday Risk Watch, a weekly newsletter curated by our Global Intelligence Team.
Expect updates on emerging risks, geopolitical developments, weather forecasts, etc. We’ll notify you of the latest incidents that could impact your organization, allowing you to make informed decisions and mitigate potential risks.
What We’re Watching
Spain in Recovery Following Worst Flooding in Modern Record: Consecutive days of record rainfall caused catastrophic flooding across Eastern Spain, with the hardest-hit area in Valencia province. Numerous people remain missing, and evacuations continue as torrential rains are forecasted to persist into Saturday. Infrastructure and essential services are severely disrupted, with travel restrictions and efforts to restore utilities underway.
The death toll has surpassed 200, the bulk in Valencia province, marking this storm the deadliest Spanish disaster in decades. The last Spanish flood event remotely close to this magnitude occurred in 1996, during which 87 deaths were confirmed. Search and rescue efforts persist in isolated areas of Castellón. The extent of damage in some areas is only just becoming known, with before and after imagery revealing catastrophic impacts.
On Thursday, hundreds of motorists and over 5,000 vehicles were trapped on major routes like A-3 and A-7 around Valencia. Road repairs are expected to take months. (Note: Some of the following links are in Spanish.) The Directorate General of Traffic has restricted travel to affected areas, while multiple train routes, including the high-speed line to Madrid, are suspended.
Spain declared three days of mourning, and Valencia’s government announced a €250 million aid package. Additional law enforcement has been deployed to deter looting, and over 1,100 rescues have been conducted by emergency teams.
Residents of Valencia were reportedly caught off guard by the deadly floods after receiving delayed warnings. Schools across Valencia and Castellón remain closed due to continued flood risks.
A rescue team in Paiporta, near Valencia, Spain. Photo: REUTERS/Nacho Doce
Fall Weather Shift Coming to Central U.S.: After severe hurricanes in September, weather over the Central and Eastern U.S. has been mostly calm, with pleasant fall conditions. However, limited rainfall has expanded drought, leading to some of the driest conditions in 25 years. Now, the pattern is shifting, bringing more active weather with potential severe thunderstorms and flooding.
Strong dips in the jet stream are forming over the U.S. Plains, while warm, dry weather shifts to Eastern Canada, the Northeast U.S., and Eastern Seaboard.
Next week, residents and travelers across the Central U.S. into the Great Lakes, Ohio Valley, and Mid-South will experience more frequent temperature swings and higher-impact rainfall events.
Areas near Dallas, Oklahoma City, Little Rock, Wichita, Kansas City, and St. Louis could see 2-4 inches of rain, with locally higher totals nearing 6 inches from Saturday to Monday. Rapid rainfall in already dry regions may lead to localized flash flooding.
From Saturday to Monday, scattered damaging wind gusts, hail, and a few tornadoes will threaten Northwest Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Arkansas, and Missouri.
The Southeast and Northeast will have seasonably mild conditions, while the West will be slightly cooler than average. Passing showers and storms may affect the Great Lakes, Mid-South, and parts of Texas and Louisiana, though widespread severe weather is unlikely.
Expect Demonstrations, Rallies Ahead of U.S. Election: Several U.S. cities will see demonstrations as Vice President Harris and former President Trump make their final push before election day on November 5. The events come as officials increase security at polling and vote counting sites to address potential violence concerns.
On Saturday at 3 pm, the women’s rights group Women’s March will demonstrate in dozens of cities. The primary march will occur in Washington D.C., from Freedom Plaza to the White House. Precedent suggests that several thousand will participate, while attendance in other major cities will likely reach the hundreds.
Both campaigns will hold rallies in the Milwaukee area this evening. Harris will appear alongside musical artist Cardi B at the Wisconsin State Fair Exposition Center in West Allis following an event in Little Chute, WI earlier today. Trump will hold an event at the Fiserv Forum at 8 pm following a rally in Warren, MI.
On Saturday, Trump will hold events in Gastonia, NC, Salem, VA, and Greensboro, NC, before making his final campaign stop on Sunday in Macon, GA. Harris will be in Atlanta and Charlotte, NC on Saturday. She then plans to make stops in Detroit and Pontiac, MI, before holding a rally at Michigan State University on Sunday. Her final campaign events will be in Pennsylvania, including Allentown and Pittsburgh on Monday, culminating in a rally that night in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
At least one activist group is planning a demonstration on November 5. Pro-Palestine group Within Our Lifetime will hold a “Flood Election Day for Palestine” event at the News Corp headquarters in New York City at 7 pm. Additional demonstration activity is likely. However, AlertMedia is unaware of widespread protests plans on election day at the time of this writing.
Residents cast their ballots during early voting at Mount Pleasant Ministries near Parkville. Photo: Karl Merton Ferron/The Baltimore Sun/TNS via Reuters
Widespread Demonstrations Over Middle East Conflict This Weekend: Major cities across the U.S. will see pro-Palestine demonstrations under the slogan, “No Votes for Genocide,” ahead of next week’s U.S. presidential election. Additionally, expect demonstrations calling for ceasefires in Gaza and Lebanon around the globe.
In the U.S., the Palestinian Youth Movement is organizing a “National Day of Action” on Saturday, with protests announced in New York City (Union Square at 2 pm), Chicago (Intersection of Michigan Ave and E Wacker Dr at 1 pm), Philadelphia (City Hall at 3 pm), and more than 20 other major cities.
In Europe, expect notable gatherings on Saturday in London (Whitehall and the U.S. Embassy at 12 pm), Amsterdam (Dam Square at 2 pm), and Vienna (Columbusplatz at 2 pm). On Sunday, the group Urgence Palestine, whose previous actions have drawn thousands of supporters, is calling on demonstrators to gather at Paris’ Place de la République at 2 pm.
The protest activity comes after a week of developments in the Middle East, with Iran mulling retaliation following last Saturday’s strikes by Israel. Israel continues to conduct widespread airstrikes in Gaza and Lebanon. However, Lebanon’s prime minister is optimistic that a ceasefire with Israel could be announced in the coming days.
Day of the Dead Celebrations in Mexico and North America: Today and tomorrow, cities across Mexico and throughout North America will see celebrations for Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead. (Note: Some of the following links are in Spanish.) During this holiday—one of Mexico’s most emblematic traditions—people pay tribute to their deceased loved ones.
While cities across Mexico will see widespread activities this weekend, the largest Día de los Muertos celebration will be in Mexico City. A parade will begin at 2 pm on Saturday and span from the Puerta de los Leones in Chapultepec to the Plaza de la Constitución. Around 1.25 million people attended last year’s parade, and a similar turnout is expected this year. Over 18,000 police units will be deployed to oversee the event.
Outside of Mexico, cities including Albuquerque, NM, Los Angeles, CA, New York City, NY, and San Antonio, TX will see major celebrations. Los Angeles holds one of the largest Day of the Dead celebrations outside of Mexico, bringing in an estimated 30,000 attendees for the city’s annual Olvera Street Festival (Oct 25 - Nov 2). The crowd size is expected to increase today due to the Los Angeles Dodger’s parade commemorating their World Series Championship win.
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