Spain’s Andalusia region evacuates 7,500 as flooding worsens, new storm approaches

Approximately 7,500 residents have been forced to evacuate their homes in southern Spain’s Andalusia region after days of torrential rains triggered widespread flooding, with authorities cautioning that conditions could deteriorate as another powerful storm approaches. An atmospheric river has saturated the area, compounding the impact of successive storms that have battered the region in recent weeks.

Critical Infrastructure and Transport Disruption

Rivers and reservoirs are at dangerously high levels, with the Guadalquivir River in Córdoba prompting the evacuation of around 700 households near the city’s airport, which remains closed. Transport networks have been severely affected: all national train services were canceled on Friday, and 84 highways have been cut off. In the mountain town of Grazalema, all 1,500 residents were evacuated Thursday after reports of loud cracking sounds, indicating possible ground movement from saturated aquifers.

Official Warnings and Outlook

Andalusian regional president Juan Manuel Moreno stated that the ground can no longer absorb water and that riverbeds and reservoirs are at maximum capacity. He noted that evacuees in the hardest-hit areas may not be able to return home for at least six days. While one woman remains missing, Moreno described the limited loss of life so far as “remarkable” given the scale of the disaster. Meteorologists warn that a new storm system is forecast to arrive on Saturday, likely exacerbating the flooding crisis.