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Málaga battles floods and tornadoes as second DANA brings havoc
Spain has learnt its lesson from the first DANA and is taking swift action this time round
Málaga’s historic city centre looked ghostly quiet this Thursday morning, November 14, with the streets flooded and residents staying indoors to avoid the risks posed by the DANA’s torrential rains.
Only the most determined ventured out, heading to grocery stores and barber shops in a rare scene reminiscent of the Covid-19 pandemic. In supermarkets, early shoppers waited in long lines despite power outages, and store managers were surprised by the demand for essentials like bottled water, fresh produce and dairy.
Many businesses kept their doors shut, but some retailers tried to draw customers with displays of umbrellas and rain gear. Pharmacies were also inundated with customers buying baby food, medicines and other necessities, showing how seriously people are taking preparations this time.
Málaga was on red alert on Wednesday for heavy rains, and took appropriate precautions, evacuating homes and towns ahead of the arrival of the storm.
¿Dónde está el sentido común? Escenas que se están viviendo hoy en #Málaga. Aviso rojo desde ayer, petición popular de quedarse en casa, tenemos super reciente la catástrofe de #Valencia. ¿En qué estamos pensando? No solo ponen en riesgo su vida, también la de los demás. pic.twitter.com/1vtf8ffQDr
— MeteOrihuela (@MeteOrihuela) November 13, 2024
This time, authorities acted early. Just hours before heavy rains hit, Andalusian authorities issued public alerts via Es-Alert, a shrill mobile phone notification system designed to alert the population in serious situations.
The city was effectively on lockdown, with advice to limit travel and implement safety measures. Nearly 4,000 residents near flood-prone zones by the Guadalhorce and Campanillas rivers were evacuated ahead of time.
Across the province, rivers swelled and streams overflowed, with the Benamargosa River spilling into nearby homes. Residents of smaller towns around Málaga, particularly those close to rivers, left their homes to escape floodwaters.
El alcalde de Málaga, Paco de la Torre, ha dicho a mediodía que no hay ningún problema con el río Guadalmedina a su paso por la ciudad.
— Diego 🌿 (@DiegoRBCA) November 13, 2024
La realidad una hora después de sus declaraciones que ha grabado una vecina de la zona del zoco 👇 pic.twitter.com/g71bCZMj9s
Authorities advised residents to follow safety protocols, reinforcing their message of caution as water levels continued to rise.
On the coast, the storm intensified with water spouts and even a tornado, which tore through La Cala de Mijas, damaging the terrace and laundry area of a petrol station and the roofs of nearby homes.
Eyewitnesses reported tense moments as the tornado approached, but thankfully no injuries were reported. In Marbella, water spouts added to the coastal disruptions, while around 3,000 people near the Campanillas and Guadalhorce rivers were evacuated as a precaution.
Authorities have had to rescue animals endangered by rising waters. In Málaga city, 41 horses and 39 dogs were saved from the Málaga Equestrian Club after a nearby stream flooded the facility. Local police, fire brigades and nature protection units coordinated the effort, ensuring all animals were rescued safely.
The flooding has affected hundreds of homes and forced evacuations along Málaga’s rivers and creeks. In Vélez-Málaga, the Vélez River overflowed, leading to the evacuation of two campsites and a makeshift settlement in Torre del Mar, affecting at least 450 people. Floodwaters also inundated fields around the river, creating a massive area of submerged land.
Si Málaga no existiera, habría que crearla. pic.twitter.com/0E4C2PujKV
— Mazapancillo (@Mazapancillo) November 13, 2024
Mass closures and transportation shutdowns
The severe conditions prompted Málaga to suspend many public services. Train services between Madrid and Málaga were halted, one flight was cancelled, and five others were diverted.
Parks, museums, sports venues and schools remained closed, with classes suspended across the board from nursery schools to universities. Public transportation was also shut down to minimise risks for residents.
In Granada, nine kilometres of the A-92 motorway were closed due to flooding, and bus connections with Málaga, Almería and the rest of eastern Spain were suspended. Transportation company Alsa has announced that services will remain off until conditions improve.
In Valencia, which had more rain yesterday after that DANA that hit two weeks ago, similar protocols were adopted, marking a noticeable change from previous responses when alerts were delayed. Aemet’s red alert system inspired a shift in public behaviour as residents took shelter, shops remained closed and streets stayed clear.
Schools have been closed, vehicle circulation is limited and public areas such as libraries, sports facilities and beaches are off-limits in both Valencia and Málaga.
This level of extreme precaution looks set to become the new normal for storm response in Spain whenever there are heavy rains and a cold drop weather system.
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