Malaga floods latest: Red alerts in Costa del Sol and Valencia as thousands evacuated
Spain: Thousands Forced to Evacuate Due to Heavy Rainfall in Malaga
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Red weather warnings have been announced, prompting the evacuation of thousands as a strong storm unleashes heavy rainfall and strong winds across Spain, just weeks following devastating flash floods in the region.
On Wednesday evening, the Spanish meteorological agency Aemet increased the warning level for Valencia to the highest category. This decision came after the region experienced severe impacts from the intense weather events that affected the country just two weeks prior.
The province is now alongside Malaga in the Costa del Sol, where a severe weather warning is already in effect. Spain is once again facing the challenge of rising floodwaters, following recent flash floods that resulted in over 200 fatalities and significant destruction of homes.
In the Malaga region, approximately 3,000 residents near the Guadalhorce River and an additional 1,100 individuals close to the Vélez River have been forced to evacuate. Meanwhile, the main hospital in the city has restricted its operations to emergency cases only due to flooding.
The Costa del Sol, home to well-known tourist spots such as Marbella, Estepona, and Vélez, is facing the effects of a severe weather event called a "Dana." This phenomenon could bring as much as 7.1 inches of rain to certain regions in just a few hours.
Flood alerts are in effect for a large part of southern Spain, as weather experts are warning that rivers might rise and strong winds reaching up to 74 miles per hour could make conditions more severe.
Schools in Malaga, Valencia, and various areas in Catalonia have paused classes. The weather agency Aemet has issued a warning about heavy rain and thunderstorms that could be "extremely intense to torrential."
"Is It Safe To Travel To Spain After Flooding?"
Thousands of people living near the Guadalhorce River, west of Malaga, have been relocated because of a significant flood threat. Hospitals in the area are already facing serious flooding, with medical staff seen walking through water in the hallways of patient wards.
Spanish airport officials are advising travelers departing from Malaga Airport and El Prat Airport in Barcelona to confirm flight information with their airline before heading to the airport.
My coworker Amelia Neath shares the following update:
Tara Cobham November 14, 2024, 6:00 AM
Billie Jean King Tournament Finals Canceled By Rain
The championship matches of the Billie Jean King tennis tournament in Malaga were called off because of the intense rainfall.
Photos depict the rain-drenched Martín Carpena pavilion on Wednesday, where the event has been rescheduled for Friday.
Tara Cobham, November 14, 2024, 5:00 AM
"Watch: Valencia Faces Heavy Rain Amid Flood Recovery"
Tara Cobham, November 14, 2024, 4:00 AM
Non-essential Activities Canceled; Work From Home
Numerous towns in areas affected by flooding have called off all non-essential events and advised residents to work remotely while keeping up with updates from emergency services.
Volunteers have been requested to temporarily halt their clean-up efforts and stop stacking sandbags for additional protection after the severe weather that impacted Spain two weeks ago.
The approaching storms forced rescue teams to halt their search for missing individuals off the coast of Valencia, according to Spain's maritime rescue service.
Tara Cobham, November 14, 2024, 3:00 AM
Local Official Warns Of Severe Rain Impact In Valencia
A representative from the emergency committee has cautioned that the effects of the rain in Valencia could be significant, especially after the area experienced some of the worst conditions during the extreme weather that struck Spain two weeks ago.
On Tuesday, Rosa Tauris informed reporters that the large amounts of mud present and the state of the sewage system in the province are the reasons behind this situation.
Tara Cobham November 14, 2024, 2:00 AM
Watch: Heavy Rainfall Hits Benidoleig, Spain
Tara Cobham, November 14, 2024, 1:00 AM
Storms And Flooding In Spain: Schools Closed, Trains Canceled
Fresh storms in Spain led to the closure of schools and the cancellation of train services on Wednesday. This comes just two weeks after severe flash floods in Valencia and other regions tragically claimed over 220 lives and resulted in the destruction of thousands of homes.
In southern Malaga, many streets were inundated, prompting the evacuation of 3,000 residents living close to the Guadalhorce River as a precaution. Schools throughout the province were shut down, and numerous shops also closed their doors. Additionally, high-speed AVE train services between Malaga and Madrid were suspended.
There were no indications of any fatalities.
Tara Cobham, November 14, 2024, at midnight.
Residents Worry As Crews Build Water Barrier In Malaga
Previously, laborers were constructing a plastic barrier in Malaga to help manage the water that the drainage systems were unable to handle.
In the Campanilla neighborhood, which is close to a tributary of the Guadalhorce River, local resident Miguel Espinosa expressed his concerns: “Everyone is quite anxious because, five years ago, the river rose nearly a meter above the street. The school’s walls fell down, and many homes were inundated, especially their basements... it was truly catastrophic.”
Tara Cobham, November 13, 2024, at 11:30 PM
Watch: Thousands Flee Torrential Rain In Malaga
Tara Cobham, November 13, 2024, 11:00 PM
Spanish Minister Warns: Stay Home In Red Alert Areas
The Spanish labor minister has advised individuals to avoid going to work in regions that are under red alert due to the dangers associated with severe weather.
Yolanda Díaz, who serves as the second vice president of the government, stated, “We are currently on high alert, so it’s important to avoid taking any chances; you should not go to work.”
The Spanish meteorological service, Aemet, has released severe weather alerts for parts of Malaga and Tarragona because of heavy rainfall.
Tara Cobham, November 13, 2024, at 10:30 PM.
