Antonio Sanz, first vice-president and regional minister for the Presidency, Health and Emergencies of the Andalusian government, activated the pre-emergency phase of the Andalusia Flood Risk Emergency Plan (PERI) on Saturday. The activation, at operational situation 0, was prompted by rain and storm warnings issued by Spain’s State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) and their possible effects across the region. It is preventive and allows authorities to strengthen monitoring of weather conditions and coordinate emergency services in case of incidents.
Aemet had an orange warning for rain in Almería’s Poniente and Almería city, and Levante Almeriense areas from 12:00 to 23:59 on Saturday, with up to 30 millimetres of rain possible in one hour. Yellow rain and storm warnings were in place for Valle del Almanzora and Los Vélez, and Nacimiento and Campo de Tabernas, where up to 20 millimetres could fall in an hour.
Elsewhere in Andalusia, yellow warnings covered inland eastern areas and mountain ranges. In Granada, they applied to the Genil Basin, Guadix and Baza, Nevada and the Alpujarras, and the Granada coast, with one-hour rainfall totals of 15 to 20 millimetres. In Jaén, warnings covered Morena and Condado, Cazorla and Segura, the capital and Montes de Jaén, and the Guadalquivir Valley, with up to 15 millimetres in an hour. Antequera and Ronda in Málaga also had yellow rain and storm warnings, with up to 20 millimetres possible in an hour.
In central and western Andalusia, yellow rain and storm warnings applied to the Córdoba countryside, the Córdoba Subbética, and Sierra and Pedroches in Córdoba; Sierra Norte, the Seville countryside and Sierra Sur in Seville; and Grazalema in Cádiz. Up to 15 millimetres in an hour was forecast in these areas. In Huelva province, the yellow warning covered Aracena in the north. The warnings were concentrated between 12:00 and 23:59, and storms could bring hail.
The Andalusia Emergency Agency (EMA), part of the regional ministry, continued to monitor the situation and advised people to take extra care because of possible water accumulation, localised flooding and sudden rises in waterways.
The agency recommended avoiding road travel during heavy rain where possible. If travel is essential, people should check road conditions, reduce speed, leave more distance between vehicles and follow authorities’ instructions. Do not cross flooded areas, dry riverbeds, streams or other channels, even if the water appears shallow, and do not camp or park near waterways, even when dry, because of the risk of sudden flooding. During storms in the countryside, avoid isolated trees and metal objects. On storm-hit coasts, stay away from promenades, breakwaters and exposed viewpoints. If water begins to rise at home, move to upper floors and avoid basements and garages; remove objects from balconies, patios and rooftops that could be carried away by water or wind.
EMA urged people to follow official channels and emergency service instructions. In an emergency, call 112 Andalucía, a free service available 24 hours a day. Self-protection advice is available at https://lajunta.es/5rolh and through the Citizen Emergency Platform at https://ema112andalucia.es/.