Manilva flooding forces a family to leave their home

The floods that continue to threaten the home of an expat family living in Manilva along Spain’s Western Costa del Sol have brought new devastation. Adam and his family lost everything when a flash flood flooded their home, filling it with mud and destroying furniture and appliances. They also lost clothing, irreplaceable photos, and other keepsakes.

The floods have devastated our home. It was the place that we spent most of our lives, where we made memories and felt safe. Not damaged. Not affected. Adam Brahmi expressed his heartfelt plea in an appeal that was “destroyed”.

The house was not habitable and recovery proved impossible.

Locals responded immediately with compassion and organised a fundraiser night at the Rose and Thistle Pub, where generous donations gave a glimmer hope. Recovery was impossible as the house was rendered uninhabitable. It had soaked walls and floors, along with damaged electrics, which required extensive repairs that were far beyond the family’s means.

Leonardo, the latest storm that brought a deluge, arrived just as the efforts to remove the mud and salvage the remnants were beginning. Authorities in Malaga and Cadiz issued red alerts warning of flash floods from an atmospheric river that could dump up to 250mm of rain onto already saturated soil. This second surge swept away any progress and submerged what was left. It also exacerbated the physical and emotional exhaustion.

All that we could save is gone

“Anything that we managed to save is lost.” “Any progress we made was undone.” Adam said that the emotional and physical cost of starting over again was overwhelming.

It’s not just about the material. This isn’t a simple matter of material loss. It’s all about exhaustion. It’s all about fear. “It’s about being in a house that is ruined and not knowing what to do when it feels so heavy,” said he.

Adam launched his launch after swallowing his pride. GoFundMe campaign To get a home that is safer elsewhere. “Asking help is extremely difficult. The pride that we once had disappears as survival becomes paramount. “We are asking for help out of desperation and honesty. We need to rebuild our lives.”

In the face of severe weather warnings that continue to be issued, the family appeals for anyone who is willing to donate, even if it’s a small amount, or share their story with others. Adam thanked supporters for their belief that recovery is still possible.