The Aemet raises red alert in Malaga for Wednesday due to storm
The State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) has issued a red alert in three regions of the province of Malaga: Costa del Sol, Guadalhorce, and Axarquía for this Wednesday due to the storm. In all cases, the alert begins at 10:00 a.m. and will be in effect until midnight, with forecasts of up to 120 liters per square meter in 12 hours. The alert will be orange from three in the morning on Wednesday in the same areas —in addition to Antequera— and will turn red at ten in the morning.
Given the forecasts, the Andalusian government has announced the preventive evacuation of homes located on the banks of the Guadalhorce River —which overflowed two weeks ago, causing numerous material damages— in the municipalities of Álora, Cártama, Alhaurín de la Torre, Pizarra, and Malaga. The Andalusian administration has also decided to close the educational centers affected by the Aemet warnings, namely those located in Axarquía, Guadalhorce, Antequera, and Costa del Sol. This represents almost the entire province, with the only area where there will be activity in classrooms being Ronda. The University of Malaga has also decided to suspend activities at all its centers, so there will be no classes on Wednesday.
The complex weather forecast in the Andalusian province has led most municipalities where the heaviest rainfall is expected, such as Estepona, Marbella, or the capital itself, to convene their emergency coordination centers this morning and mobilize their local police, firefighters, and Civil Protection personnel, in addition to alerting their operational services. Municipalities like Benalmádena or Torremolinos have issued notices to announce the suspension of all municipal activities —including an extraordinary council meeting scheduled for tomorrow in Torremolinos— and non-essential employees to telework. Smaller municipalities, like Álora or Valle de Abdalajís, have also asked residents in flood-prone areas to evacuate during the night and, if they have no alternative, to stock up on food, water, and fuel. In addition, the mayor of Pizarra, Félix Lozano, has asked residents who have no other option but to stay at home to inform the town hall to find solutions. “The goal is to prevent danger to people,” he stated this afternoon.
Impact on Education and Public Services
- The Andalusian government announced the closure of educational centers in heavily affected areas.
- The University of Malaga suspended all activities at its centers for Wednesday.
- Municipalities like Benalmádena and Torremolinos suspended all municipal activities and had non-essential employees telework.
Emergency Response Measures
- Local authorities convened emergency coordination centers and mobilized police, firefighters, and Civil Protection personnel.
- Various municipalities issued evacuation notices for residents in flood-prone areas and provided guidelines for preparedness.
- The mayor of Pizarra urged residents to communicate with the town hall if they had no alternative but to stay home.
Conclusion
The red alert issued by the Aemet in Malaga due to the storm has prompted significant emergency response measures and precautionary actions by authorities and residents in the affected areas. The safety and well-being of individuals remain a top priority as the region braces for heavy rainfall and potential flooding.
FAQs
What areas are under the red alert in Malaga?
The Costa del Sol, Guadalhorce, and Axarquía regions are under a red alert due to the storm according to the Aemet.
What actions have been taken by the Andalusian government in response to the red alert?
The Andalusian government has announced the evacuation of homes in flood-prone areas and the closure of educational centers in the affected regions.