Spain weather LIVE: Malaga, Benidorm and Marbella on flood alert - storms to batter region

7 mins ago13:25 Emily Wright

More footage has been published on X showing the depth of floodwaters in Malaga.

In this clip, the Guadalmedina River can be seen rushing past at a tremendous pace, with vehicles travelling parallel to the river splashing through water on the road. 

A picture of a van travelling through water by the Guadalmedina River in Malaga (Image: @mariiamlg/ X)

1 hour ago12:12 Emily Wright

Aemet has revealed the areas in the Malaga province where it is likely to rain the most.  

Based on data up to 10am this Tuesday, between 100 and 120mm could fall during Wednesday in the upper Axarquía areas, in municipalities such as Periana, Alfarnate, Alfarnatejo, Colmenar and Riogordo, among others. 

If correct, the La Viñuela reservoir will receive a big boost, which has been struggling with low levels.

The second highest risk area (between 80 and 100mm) would be in the eastern part of Malaga city (El Palo, Limonar, Cerrado, Pinares), as well as in the municipality of Rincón de la Victoria and its surroundings; and Casabermeja. 

For the rest of the province, lower amounts of between 20 and 40mm are expected, more likely in the Greater Malaga area, the central part of the Costa Del Sol and the Guadalhorce valley.

Aemet has revealed the areas in the Malaga province where it is likely to rain the most. (Image: Getty)

1 hour ago12:04 Emily Wright

Locals have started panic-buying, with reports of supermarkets in parts of Malaga being stripped bare of products like mineral water and meat.

One on X wrote: “The forecast of heavy rains in Malaga and part of the province has caused concern among the population, who have rushed to make purchases in pandemic mode. #Málaga #DANA . Water and toilet paper have run out in many establishments.”

Locals were also pictured boarding up the doors to their homes or laying sandbags in front of them. 

2 hours ago11:54 Emily Wright

More than 300,000 pupils have been affected by a move by the regional government to close all schools in the province of Malaga today.

A “preventative” evacuation of around 3,000 people living in around 1,000 homes near the Guadalhorce River was also started earlier today, an area that was one of the worst-affected during the storms a fortnight ago. 

A 71-year-old British expat was pronounced dead after being rescued from his house.

2 hours ago11:47 Emily Wright

This extreme weather phenomenon is known as a DANA.

It occurs when a mass of cold air meets warm air near the surface, creating a large temperature difference between the layers of the atmosphere. This causes the warm air to rise and become saturated with water vapour - resulting in intense storms. 

This cold drop also caused the devastating flooding that killed over 200 people in and around the city of Valencia two weeks ago. 

The popular tourist region of Costa del Sol is expected to bear the brunt of the bad weather. 

2 hours ago11:38 Emily Wright

Footage shared on social media shows the intensity of rainfall and rivers of floodwater running down the streets in the town of Los Romanes, near Malaga. 

Speaking to El Pais, Susana Fortes, owner of the Covirán supermarket, said: “It was a heavy downpour and the water started to fall hard down the stairs.

“It was a moment and now the main street has many stones, some of which I have in front of my establishment. But it has not been serious. It is raining less now and hardly any water falls there. In addition, the operational services of the town hall are already here to clean up."

2 hours ago11:32 Emily Wright

The map below shows the areas of southern and eastern Spain that currently have weather warnings in place. A red alert - the highest on its warning scale - is in place for Sun and Guadalhorce and Axarquia in the south and Tarragona’s southern coast in the east. 

Aemet said: “Accumulated precipitation in 12 hours: 180 mm. They will be accompanied by thunderstorms.” 

A picture of a map of Spain with the areas affected by torrential rain and flooding highlighted. (Image: AEMET)

2 hours ago11:31 Emily Wright

The red weather alert is set to remain in effect until midnight on Wednesday, with rainfall having started at around 10am.

Regional government representative Antonio Sanz said: "The situation for the province of Malaga is of extreme risk.

"The forecast was that we were going to be on yellow alert but weather agency Aemet has raised this to red."

2 hours ago11:24 Emily Wright

British tourists visiting southern Spain have been cautioned to stay alert regarding the red weather alert. 

The red alert, Spain’s highest weather warning, signifies a serious threat of life-threatening conditions due to torrential rainfall expected to accumulate up to 120 mm over a 12-hour period. 

The UK Foreign Office has updated its travel advisory, urging British nationals in Malaga and nearby areas to follow local guidance, avoid travel during red alert periods, and prepare for disruptions.

It has advised tourists to stay indoors during peak hours, particularly in areas flagged for heavy rain and flash flooding. Those staying in accommodations near rivers, streams, or flood-prone zones are encouraged to move to higher ground or consult local authorities on additional safety precautions.

2 hours ago11:20 Emily Wright

British expats living in the Malaga region “jumped out of their skin” late on Tuesday night when they received an incredibly loud emergency alarm on their phones. 

“I just got an alert on my phone, it frightened the c**p out of us!” one British expat told The Olive Press. “It flashed up like an alarm and made this horrible beeping sound that was painful to the ears.”

The alerts are part of the Proteccion Civil force’s new Es-Alert system, which had never before been used in Malaga, until now.

It read: “Civil alert… Red warning activated (Aemet), extreme risk of rainfall… be very cautious, avoid travel and follow the advice of 112.”

2 hours ago11:17 Emily Wright

Residents have been pictured wrapping their cars in plastic to protect them from any impending damage and thousands of people have been evacuated from their homes near the Costa del Sol over new flooding fears. 

Locals were pictured yesterday afternoon boarding up the doors to their homes or laying sandbags in front of them as they prepared for what was to come.

The weather alert in the region has been raised from yellow to red, with locals and holidaymakers warned of an “extreme risk”.

A picture of a wrapped car in Spain as residents prepare for the impending storm. (Image: Solarpix)

2 hours ago11:07 Emily Wright

The state meteorological agency has warned that rainfall and storms could be “very strong to torrential”. 

It has issued an orange alert - the second highest on its warning scale - signalling that the event has a “degree of danger for normal activities". 

3 hours ago11:01 Emily Wright