- Aemet activates the red alert for torrential rains on the Costa del Sol and the Guadalhorce Valley with up to 120 l/m² in 12 hours.
- The Junta sends one or even two messages from the ES-Alert system to the mobile phones of 27 municipalities in Malaga in response to the extreme risk.
- Authorities are urging extreme caution, avoiding travel, and staying away from rivers, waterways, and flood-prone areas.
- Flooding of the Guadalhorce, Grande and Turón rivers causes road closures, preventive evacuations and reinforcement of emergency plans.
La The province of Malaga is experiencing a day marked by extreme weather risk. due to an intense episode of rainfall associated with Storm Francis. The situation has led authorities to deploy all available warning mechanisms, including the mass alert ES-Alert, which has been heard on the mobile phones of thousands of residents.
Given the forecast of torrential rainfall and possible flooding On the Costa del Sol and in the Guadalhorce Valley, the Andalusian Regional Government has once again used this emergency system to warn the public. Many users have been surprised by the unusual sound of the alert, which has reached... all mobile phones located in 27 municipalities in Malaga.
Red alert activated for rain on the Costa del Sol and Guadalhorce
La The State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) has raised the rain warning to red level. in the meteorological region of the Costa del Sol and the Guadalhorce Valley. This level, the highest within the alert system, is reserved for situations of extraordinary danger with the capacity to cause serious damage and widespread incidents.
According to Aemet's forecasts, temperatures can reach accumulations of up to 120 liters per square meter in just twelve hourswith an estimated probability of between 40% and 70%. In several locations in the province, such as Tolox, Casarabonela or OjénThe stations in the Hidrosur network have already recorded values that far exceed 100 liters, even reaching or exceeding 180 liters in 12 hours in some locations.
El The red alert will remain in effect until 23:59 hoursAlthough rain is expected to continue beyond that time, it will be less intense. The province had been under an orange alert since early morning, but the evolution of Storm Francis, with heavier-than-expected rainfall and a rapid increase in river levels, has forced authorities to strengthen the alert level.
In parallel, the Andalusian Regional Government has activated the emergency phase, operational situation 1, of the Flood Risk Plan for the Guadalhorce and Costa del Sol regions. This phase implies that there is a real risk of flooding and other incidents, although they can still be managed with the resources of the regional government.
ES-Alert on mobile phones in 27 municipalities: how and who has arrived
In this context, the Andalusian Emergency Agency (EMA), dependent on the Ministry of Health, Presidency and Emergencies, has referred to the 14 pm un mass message through the ES-Alert system to all mobile phones located in the affected area. This type of alert, which uses cellular broadcast technology, reaches any device connected to cell towers within the defined area. without needing to be subscribed to any service.
The message has spread in the 27 municipalities that make up the Sol and Guadalhorce meteorological region: Alhaurín de la Torre, Alhaurín el Grande, Almogía, Álora, Alozaina, Benahavís, Benalmádena, Carratraca, Cártama, Casarabonela, Casares, Coín, Estepona, Fuengirola, Guaro, Istán, Málaga capital, Manilva, Marbella, Mijas, Monda, Ojén, Pizarra, Tolox, Valle de Abdalajís, Yunquera and Torremolinos.
Many residents have received not just one warning, but up to two ES-Alert messages on the same dayThe first alert was issued in the early afternoon and a second around 22:23 p.m., in anticipation of continued flooding of rivers and streams throughout the night. This is not the first time the system has been activated in the province during these holidays: Storm Emiliawhich has already caused flooding in Cártama and a record high flow rate of the Guadalhorce River exceeding five meters, the phones also rang with a warning of this type.
The text of the message emphasizes the need to Avoid flood-prone areas, do not cross rivers or streams, and exercise extreme caution when traveling.Furthermore, the importance of following the instructions of the Emergency Service 112 Andalusia and Civil Protection, agencies that coordinate the response to this episode of extreme rainfall.
These types of alerts have surprised some people because of their strident sound and the impossibility of easily ignoring thembecause they occupy the mobile screen until the user manually closes them. That is precisely the function of the system: to immediately draw attention to a serious and widespread risk.
River flooding and main incidents in Malaga
The rains associated with Storm Francis have caused a strong rise of the Guadalhorce, Turón and Grande riverswith a particular impact on the Guadalhorce Valley area. The Rio Grande has overflowed in the municipality of Guaro, at the level of the well-known Umami sale, which has forced increased surveillance in that section and at points downstream.
In other areas of the province, such as the neighborhood of Campanillas, in the city of MalagaPreventative evacuation recommendations have been issued for low-lying areas such as Santa Águeda and Santa Catalina, due to the risk of flooding if rainfall continues at the same intensity. In the municipality of Cártamawhich already suffered severe flooding during Storm Emilia, has reached evict about thirty families in the Station area, of which at least 16 have been rehoused in a sports center set up for this situation.
The abundant rainfall, with numerous points in the province exceeding 100 liters per square meter in 12 hoursThey maintain constant pressure on the riverbeds. The Guadalhorce, Grande, and Turón rivers all show a upward trend in its levelsThis explains the authorities' insistence on avoiding any activity near rivers, streams, and flood-prone areas.
La Government Sub-delegation in Malaga, through the deputy delegate Javier Salas, has communicated that the Military Emergency Unit (UME) It is available overnight should its intervention be required. This resource is activated when the situation may overwhelm the ordinary response capacity and additional support is needed for rescue operations, water removal, or reinforcement of critical infrastructure.
Regarding the road network, several road closures in the provinceThe DGT (Spanish Directorate General of Traffic) has reported the closure of the A-7059, which connects to Alhaurín de la Torre, since 13:45 PM, while the Málaga Provincial Council has indicated that the MA-5401 is also completely closed. In the Serranía de Ronda region, the road MA-8302 towards Genalguacil It has been interrupted by the rising waters of the Almarchal River, which have overflowed the floodable ford. In all these cases, [measures/measures/measures] have been implemented. alternative routes to maintain the connection between the affected municipalities.
Calls for caution and basic recommendations
Since the beginning of the episode, the regional authorities have reiterated messages of prudence and responsibility to the public. The Minister of Health, Presidency and Emergencies, Antonio SanzHe has expressly asked people "not to let their guard down" and to continue following the instructions of the 112 Andalusia Emergency Service, reminding them that these “they save lives”.
Among the most insistent recommendations are Do not cross flooded areas or travel through areas near rivers or waterwaysas well as avoiding activities in dry riverbeds, streams, or low-lying areas of ravines. Those living in flood-prone areas are advised look for high areas or go up to higher floors In case of a flash flood, always maintain an open line of communication with the emergency services.
El President of the Junta de Andalucía, Juanma MorenoHe has also addressed the public through his social media accounts to emphasize the need for "maximum caution." In his messages, he has insisted that Avoid unnecessary travel, that traffic closures are respected and that the warnings of both Aemet and the Andalusian Emergency Agency and Civil Protection are heeded.
The Board keeps active the Phase 1 of emergency in the Guadalhorce and Costa del Sol regionsThis involves continuous monitoring, coordination between government agencies, and the availability of rapid response resources. The goal is to anticipate potential flooding, landslides, or incidents affecting key infrastructure, such as roads and sanitation networks.
The public is reminded that, in any risk situation, the contact method is the 112 phoneIt is recommended to have flashlights, charged mobile devices, basic documents and, if possible, a small emergency kit with water and warm clothing on hand, especially in homes located in critical flood points.
The episode of rain that has hit Malaga has once again put the ES-Alert warning system and flood emergency plans in the Costa del Sol and the Guadalhorce Valley. With the red alert for torrential rains, the flooding of the Guadalhorce, Turón and Grande rivers, road closures and preventive evacuations, the authorities have made a unanimous appeal for civic responsibility: Take warnings very seriously, avoid unnecessary risks, and follow emergency services instructions to the letter. until the weather situation stabilizes completely.
