Evening of crimson alert in Costa del Sol as storm brings flash flooding and hail

Torrential rains battered Malaga province in a single day from Saturday, December 27, into Sunday, December 28, inflicting extreme flooding in elements and the Guadalhorce River to overflow, reaching its highest recorded stage.

Spain’s State Meteorological Company (AEMET) issued a uncommon (and terrifying) crimson alert – signifying “extraordinary hazard” – for the Costa del Sol and Guadalhorce Valley areas on Saturday night, warning of as much as 120 litres per sq. metre in 12 hours. The alert triggered the ES-Alert system, sending loud warnings to cellphones in 27 municipalities, together with Malaga metropolis, Cartama, Alhaurin el Grande, and Coin. The message instructed residents to keep away from journey or going exterior, to keep away from riverbanks, and to hunt larger floor.

The Guadalhorce River burst its banks round midnight in Cartama, because it rose to a historic peak of 5.7 metres, surpassing the earlier report of 5.52 metres, with flows exceeding 1,000 cubic metres per second. Mayor Jorge Gallardo described the scenario as essential, posting movies of the raging waters and warning residents in susceptible areas like Doña Ana to arrange for flooding.

Excessive ranges of rainfall in Guadalhorce Valley with roads lower off

Excessive rainfall accumulations were recorded, together with over 131 litres per sq. metre in Alhaurin el Grande and 118 litres in Fahala (Cartama). Roads had been lower off, such because the MA-5401 in Casarabonela and the A-7057 in Cartama, disrupting site visitors and isolating communities.

Andalucia’s regional authorities activated Part 1 of its Flood Threat Emergency Plan, deploying police, civil safety, firefighters, and native crews. No main accidents had been reported, however flooded streets, houses, and infrastructure brought about widespread disruption. The crimson alert was lifted at 4am Sunday, and downgraded to orange and yellow in elements of the province, although rains continued.

Authorities proceed monitoring river ranges, with tributary rivers just like the Grande additionally swollen. Residents are suggested to train warning as cleanup begins.

Hail and wind brought about havoc on the coast, with flooding lifting drain covers and expelling all that was inside onto the streets. All through Saturday evening, the Emergency 112 service attended to greater than sixty incidents associated to the rains that fell all through the day all through the group, with the province of Malaga being essentially the most affected by rainfall.

“Don’t let anybody let their guard down.”

The president of the Junta de Andalucía, Juanma Moreno, requested that “nobody decrease their guard tonight in Malaga” because of the rains within the space, which remained on crimson alert.