Malaga flooding latest: Red weather alerts in Costa del Sol and Valencia as thousands evacuated
Hospital flooded and only operating A&E as powerful storm hits Spain just weeks after deadly flash floods
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Your support makes all the difference.Red weather alerts have been issued and thousands evacuated as a powerful storm has brought torrential rain and high winds to Spain just weeks after deadly flash floods hit the country.
Spanish weather forecaster Aemet raised Valencia’s warning level to the maximum on Wednesday evening, after the region was hit hardest in the extreme weather that lashed the country only two weeks ago.
The province joins Malaga in the Costa del Sol, which is already under a red weather alert, as Spain once again finds itself battling rising floodwaters after the recent flash floods killed more than 200 people and destroyed homes.
In the Malaga province, around 3,000 people living along the Guadalhorce River and reportedly a further 1,100 near the Vélez River have been evacuated, while the city’s main hospital is now limiting services to emergencies only after it flooded.
The Costa del Sol, including popular tourist destinations like Marbella, Estepona, and Vélez, is bearing the brunt of the extreme weather phenomenon known as a “Dana”, which will see up to 7.1 inches of rain in some areas within hours.
Flood warnings extend across much of southern Spain, with meteorologists cautioning that rivers could overflow and gusts of up to 74 miles per hour may worsen the situation.
Classes have been suspended in schools in Malaga, Valencia and some municipalities of Catalonia. Aemet warns of rainfall and storms that could be “very strong to torrential”.
Watch: Thousands evacuate as torrential rain hits Malaga
Spanish labour minister urges people to not go to work in areas on red alert
The Spanish labour minister has urged people to not go to work in areas that are on a red alert due to the risks posed by the extreme weather.
Yolanda Díaz, who is also the second vice president of the government, said: “We are on red alert and, therefore, you do not have to take risks, you must not go to work.”
Aemet, the Spanish weather agency, has issued red weather warnings for areas of Malaga and Tarragona due to the torrential rain.
Citizens receive texts from government warning them of powerful storm
Citizens have received text messages from the government warning them of the powerful storm that is hitting regions in Spain.
Juanma Moreno, Andalusia's regional head from the conservative opposition PP party that also runs Valencia region, said prevention was better than cure and his government sent text messages to citizens to alert them.
"I know that the province of Malaga is, to a large extent, paralysed with the measures adopted, but the objective of all of us is to minimise the impact [of the storm]," Mr Moreno said.
Emergency measures implemented after criticism of preparation for last storm
Emergency measures have been implemented in Spanish regions affected by the latest storm after authorities were accused of a lack of preparation ahead of the last bout of extreme weather that hit the country.
Classes have been suspended in schools in Malaga, Valencia and some municipalities of Catalonia.
Two metro lines have been closed or partially closed in Malaga, along with three highways deemed at risk of flash floods.
In Valencia, where the regional government and Red Cross handed out jackets and blankets to prepare those hit by previous floods for the inclement weather, Gandia cargo and passenger port was closed, and the finals of the Billie Jean King tennis tournament in Malaga were postponed to Friday.
Spain's Labour Minister Yolanda Diaz and unions reminded workers that they were not legally obliged to go to work if weather conditions made it unsafe for them to do so.
The emergency measures come after fierce criticism, primarily of local authorities but also national government, for their level of preparation for and warnings to citizens about the 29 October storm and resulting floods.
What is causing the storms in Spain
The autumnal storm system affecting Spain is caused by warm air that collides with stagnant cold air and forms powerful rain clouds.
It is known locally as DANA, a high-altitude isolated depression.
The pattern is believed to be growing more frequent due to climate change, with experts saying that drought and flood cycles are increasing with the climate crisis.
Full story: Thousands evacuated in Malaga over ‘extreme rainfall’ alert as fears loom of more flooding
Thousands of residents in Spain’s Costa del Sol have been evacuated over fears a new weather front that could bring flooding again to the region.
Two weeks after the worst floods in the country’s modern history killed more than 200 people, authorities issued a rare red alert for heavy rainfall in Malaga, prompting the evacuation of around 3,000 people living along the Guadalhorce River.
Spain’s meteorological agency Aemet issued orange and red alerts for parts of Andalusia, Catalonia, and Valencia, warning that prolonged and intense rainfall could push rivers to dangerous levels, threatening lives and buildings.
My colleague Rachel Hagan has the full story:
Thousands evacuated in Malaga over ‘extreme rainfall’ alert
Schools have been closed and homes have been evacuated as locals prepare for heavy downpours
Dozens of animals facing danger amid floods are safely rescued in Malaga
Dozens of animals who were in danger as a stream overflowed in Malaga have been safely rescued, the city council has confirmed.
The 41 horses and 39 dogs were saved from the Málaga Equestrian Club by emergency services this afternoon, according to Malaga’s city council.
Bus services to and from Malaga cancelled
Bus services to and from Malaga have been suspended by Spain’s leading bus company.
Alsa made the announcement this evening, citing the “adverse weather conditions”, and confirmed that other services in areas affected by the storm have also been suspended.
In pictures: Powerful storm brings torrential rain and high winds to Spain – again
Valencia’s council closes underpasses to traffic and warns residents to not leave home
Valencia’s city council has closed the area’s underpasses to traffic and warned its residents to not leave their homes.
It comes as the weather alert for the region of Valencia has been raised to red, the highest level.
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