Storm Francis has placed nine autonomous communities and Ceuta on alert, with red warnings for torrential rains in Malaga and orange in Cadiz. Authorities have preventively evacuated hundreds of homes and sent mass alert messages to dozens of municipalities. No serious incidents are reported due to preventive measures.
The State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) activated warnings on Sunday, January 4, in nine autonomous communities and Ceuta due to storm Francis, which brings humid subtropical air to the southwestern peninsula while a cold Arctic mass advances from the north. In Andalusia, the main focus is the provinces of Malaga and Cadiz, where the 112 Emergency Service recorded 261 incidents, mainly from street and home flooding and water pools on roads.
In Malaga, the red alert for rains exceeding 120 liters per square meter in under 12 hours remained until midnight, covering the Sol and Guadalhorce areas. The Andalusian Emergencies Agency sent an Es-Alert message at 14:41 to 27 municipalities, such as Alhaurin de la Torre, Benalmadena, Cartama, and Marbella, urging extreme caution, avoiding unnecessary travel, and not crossing flood-prone areas. A second message reinforced advice on river rises and possible evacuations. The Guadalhorce River overflowed in Cartama, flooding the Huertas area and prompting the City Council to set up a sports pavilion as a shelter. Civil Protection advised Campanillas residents to evacuate or move to upper floors, and Three Kings activities were suspended.
In Cadiz, the orange alert for up to 100 liters in 12 hours affected the Strait, with Es-Alert to five municipalities: Los Barrios, Castellar, San Roque, Jimena de la Frontera, and San Martin del Tesorillo. The Regional Government ordered the preventive evacuation of 470 homes in San Roque and Los Barrios due to the Guadarranque River's rise, adding to about 30 people evacuated. The Hozgarganta River exceeded its historical maximum in Jimena (5.29 meters at 14:00, vs. 4.06 in 2018), isolating 10-15 homes and a rural hotel, assisted by the Red Cross. The Civil Guard rescued families in Los Barrios and Pasada Honda (San Roque), where 30 people were cut off. Jimena de la Frontera is fully isolated by road cuts.
Overall, 13 roads were closed between the provinces, and there are no serious incidents, according to Counselor Antonio Sanz: “No hay incidencias graves porque se está procediendo con carácter preventivo”. Rains exceeded 80 l/m² in the Strait and Malaga, and 100 in Cabo de la Nao (Alicante). Snow is expected in low altitudes in the north and northeast until Tuesday, with 40% to 70% probability.
