Severe Weather and Evacuations

Severe thunderstorms have once again unleashed chaos across coastal Spain, prompting mass evacuations just weeks after the deadly flooding that devastated parts of Valencia and surrounding areas. The latest weather disaster has hit Malaga particularly hard, leaving thousands of residents scrambling to escape rising waters.

Evacuations in Malaga Region

As of Thursday, Authorities reported that over 4,000 individuals have been forced to evacuate along with approximately 1,000 homes in the Malaga region alone. Antonio Sanz, head of the Emergency Plan for the Risk of Flooding in Andalucia, confirmed that the situation continues to be critical, with five areas near the Guadalhorce riverbank evacuated preemptively due to an imminent threat of overflowing.

Heavy Rainfall Recorded

In a stunning turn of events, Malaga received nearly a month’s worth of rain within just one hour. The national meteorological agency, AEMet, recorded around 100 millimeters (about 4 inches) of rainfall, with 78 millimeters (about 3 inches) falling in just 60 minutes. For context, Malaga typically sees an average of 100.5 millimeters for the entire month of November.

Emergency Response and Warnings

The emergency response has been swift, with the Spanish meteorological agency issuing red warnings for both the Andalusia and Catalonia regions due to extreme rainfall. Numerous towns are reporting impassable roads and flooded basements, leading to dramatic scenes captured in videos showing streets in Malaga completely submerged.

Evacuation Orders and Transport Disruptions

In response to the emergency, the Malaga City Council issued urgent evacuation orders near the Campanillas River after predicting that the water levels would soon reach dangerous heights. Moreover, the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility announced the suspension of the Málaga-Madrid rail service as water accumulation significantly impacted the tracks.

Ongoing Rain Threats

The threat of further rain isn’t over yet. Meteorologists warn of persistent heavy rain continuing throughout the evening, affecting the provinces of Malaga and Granada all the way up to Valencia and Tarragona. Forecasts predict an additional 180 millimeters (about 7 inches) may fall in some areas.

School Closures

Due to the severe weather predictions, officials announced the closure of schools across the entire province of Malaga. Municipalities under an orange warning for rain—such as Seville, Cádiz, and Huelva—will also keep educational institutions shuttered. The coastal province of Valencia is bracing for its own potential hazards, having been placed under a red weather warning for Thursday.

A Call for Caution

Spain's Minister for Transport, Óscar Puente, urged residents to avoid any non-essential travel after 6 p.m. local time on Wednesday. As if this situation weren't serious enough, the City Council of Valencia has taken proactive measures to suspend school activities throughout the city on Wednesday and Thursday, all in an effort to safeguard public health and safety.

Historical Context and Community Resilience

The recent torrent of rain and resultant flooding coincide distressingly with the aftermath of historic floods that claimed the lives of more than 220 people just two weeks ago—Spain’s deadliest flooding in decades. As Spain braces for the worst, the resilience and response of its communities are being put to the ultimate test. Will the nation recover swiftly, or are more disasters on the horizon? Stay tuned for updates on this unfolding situation.