Torrential Rain Triggers Deadly Floods in Andalusia, Spain as Emergency Services Race to Respond

Relentless Rain Brings Andalusia to a Standstill

Days of intense rainfall pushed large parts of southern Spain into crisis, with Andalusia bearing the brunt of the storm. Streets turned into streams. Hillsides gave way. Emergency sirens echoed through towns and villages as water surged through homes and roads.

Regional authorities confirmed that three people lost their lives as floods, landslides and fast rising rivers overwhelmed communities. Hundreds of emergency interventions were carried out as conditions deteriorated rapidly.

Lives Lost in Floodwaters

The first fatalities were reported in Alhaurín el Grande, Málaga Province, where a van was swept away by floodwaters. Two occupants were reported missing as the current carried the vehicle downstream. Search and rescue teams from the Civil Guard, fire brigades, Civil Protection and other emergency services launched an operation through the night.

By midday, both victims were found dead. They were aged 53 and 54.

A third victim, an 18 year old, was later discovered in Íllora, Granada Province, after being reported missing amid the flooding.

Málaga Province Hit Hardest

Málaga Province recorded the highest number of incidents, with 343 emergency calls logged. Granada followed with 58 incidents, while Almería reported 48. Other Andalusian provinces also experienced sporadic damage.

The most common problems included flooded homes, garages and streets, vehicles trapped in water and mud, road closures and rockfalls. Rural and mountainous areas were particularly vulnerable as slopes failed under the weight of water.

Cártama and the Guadalhorce Valley Under Water

The town of Cártama, in the Guadalhorce Valley, emerged as one of the worst affected locations. Water poured into homes, basements, garages and business premises as the Guadalhorce River rose sharply.

Some residents in the Doña Ana area were forced to leave their homes as the river reached historic levels overnight. The river later began to recede, but the damage was already done.

Evacuations were also carried out in Alhaurín de la Torre and Cártama. Displaced residents relocated to a hostel or to the homes of family and friends. An emergency shelter was prepared, though no one ultimately needed to use it.

Dramatic Rescues in Flooded Homes

Firefighters carried out multiple rescues as water levels rose without warning. Three people, two adults and a child, were rescued from a house flooded by the overflowing Vadeurraca stream. In Nueva Aljaima, two more residents were rescued after becoming trapped inside their home.

An operations technician, fire engines and specialist forest firefighting units were deployed to support recovery efforts. Additional crews and vehicles were placed on standby across Málaga Province.

Transport Disrupted Across the Region

Flooding also disrupted transport networks. Five local Cercanías trains were stopped between Los Prados and Benalmádena on the Costa del Sol due to water on the tracks.

While no major roads were closed across Andalusia, traffic conditions reached critical levels on routes in Almería Province, including the AL-8105 Las Cunas to Burjulú and the AL-8106 between Villaricos and El Arteal.

Rainfall Totals Reveal the Scale of the Storm

Rainfall accumulations underscored the intensity of the event. Weather stations recorded:

• 77.8 mm in Marbella and Málaga Port
• 73.8 mm in Coín
• 63.4 mm in Benahavís
• 30.6 mm in Álora
• 54.6 mm in San Roque, Cádiz Province

Much of this rain fell in a short period, overwhelming drainage systems and river channels.

Emergency Plans Activated Across Andalusia

The regional government activated its Flood Risk Emergency Plan, escalating it to emergency phase operational situation one. Thirty three municipalities implemented local civil protection plans, including 23 in Málaga Province and ten in Granada.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez urged citizens to remain cautious as conditions evolved.

Despite improving weather and the deactivation of most alerts, emergency services continued to advise maximum caution. Authorities warned residents to avoid unnecessary travel and never attempt to cross flooded roads or active waterways.

Warnings Remain in Place

Spain’s state meteorological agency Aemet maintained rainfall warnings for areas including Axarquía in Málaga, the Granada coast and parts of Almería. Yellow level rain warnings also remained active across multiple inland and coastal zones.

As the water slowly receded, mud coated streets, debris lined riverbanks and recovery began. The storm moved on, but its impact remained etched across Andalusia.