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Thousands evacuated: Spain experiences a month of rain in an hour
Severe thunderstorms and torrential rain are causing evacuations in Andalusia. Malaga experienced a month's worth of rain in one hour. Authorities warn of floods and close schools.
Thousands evacuated: Spain experiences a month of rain in an hour
Severe thunderstorms and torrential rain have once again hit the coastal region of Spain. Just two weeks after deadly floods Thousands of people had to be evacuated in Valencia and other neighboring municipalities.
Evacuations and measures in Málaga
Almost 3,000 people and a thousand households in the Malaga area have been evacuated, said Antonio Sanz, director of the emergency plan for flood risk in Andalusia, on Wednesday. Five areas near the Guadalhorce River bank were evacuated as a precaution to minimize the risk of flooding.
Record rainfall
In just one hour, the city of Malaga received almost the amount of rain normally expected for the entire month of November, Spanish weather agency AEMet reported. Around 100 millimeters of rain has fallen so far on Wednesday, with 78 millimeters (3 inches) falling in a single hour. Normally the average for November in Malaga is 100.5 millimeters.
Weather warnings and traffic disruptions
The Spanish Meteorological Agency has issued red warnings for extreme rainfall for the regions of Andalusia and Catalonia. Reports of impassable roads and flooded basements reach numerous cities. Video footage shows flooded streets in Málaga as Málaga City Council issued evacuation orders near the Campanillas River.
Impact on public transport
The Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility also has announced, that the Málaga-Madrid train service has been suspended due to water accumulation on the tracks. The severe weather warning also led to the postponement of the first round game of the Billie Jean King Cup, which was scheduled to take place on Wednesday evening between Spain and Poland.
More rain forecast
Heavy rainfall is expected to continue into the evening, particularly in the provinces of Málaga and Granada, as well as Valencia and Tarragona, where up to 180 millimeters (7 inches) is possible. Authorities have announced that schools will remain closed on Thursday across the province of Málaga, as well as in areas under an orange rain warning, including the municipalities of Seville, Cádiz and Huelva.
Special warnings for Valencia
A red weather warning has now been issued for the coastal region of the province of Valencia for Thursday. Spain's Transport Minister Óscar Puente announced that all non-essential movement on Valencia's streets will be suspended starting Wednesday evening at 6 p.m. (12 p.m. ET).
Responses to the natural disaster
The Valencia City Council announced that all school activities in the city of Valencia and its neighborhoods will be suspended on Wednesday and Thursday to avoid risks. The country is still recovering from historically severe flooding that killed more than 220 people two weeks ago and was the worst in decades.
Last weekend demonstrated in Valencia Protesters and demanded the resignation of regional President Carlos Mazón due to the slow response to the deadly natural disaster.