Héctor Barbotta

Sevilla

Tuesday, 3rd February 2026 16:28

REGIONAL authorities have suspended classes across almost all of Andalucía on Wednesday as “Storm Leonardo” threatens the region with unprecedented rainfall.

The Emergency Advisory Committee, headed by President Juanma Moreno, has confirmed that on the 4th of February, all levels of education, excluding universities, will be suspended in all provinces except Almeria.

While schools will likely shift to remote education, universities are expected to maintain their autonomy on closures.

Forecasts predict that the storm will collide with a “atmospheric-river” phenomenon and cause extreme precipitation until next Monday. There have been red alerts issued in Ronda (Malaga), Grazalema (Cadiz), and Gibraltar.

Moreno warned, following the Seville meeting of the committee: “Any area which has been flooded over the last 50-years could flood again.” He highlighted the Guadalhorce valley, the Costa del Sol and Ronda, as the areas at greatest risk within Malaga Province.

It is further complicated because 50 Andalusian reservoirs already have their maximum capacity reached and the saturated ground cannot absorb more moisture.

Residents of high-risk zones will receive civil protection alerts on their mobile phones tonight at 8pm. Authorities have warned the public not to travel unless it is absolutely necessary and suspended all activities at social and care centres on Wednesday.

The Junta elevated the emergency plan into Operational Phase Two. This allows the Military Emergency Unit to begin repositioning.

The military’s top priority will be to contain mining ponds in order to prevent toxic waste from overflowing.