Lorraine Williamson
Storm Charles has battered Andalucia with heavy rain and powerful winds, prompting 196 emergency incidents on Wednesday alone and bringing the total since Monday to 361. Authorities have issued emergency mobile alerts, closed roads and ports, and suspended classes in 30 municipalities, while further severe weather warnings remain in place for Thursday.
The latest figures, published by the Junta de Andalucía on Wednesday evening, show how the storm has affected communities across all eight provinces. Emergency services have dealt with flooding, falling trees, damaged buildings and traffic incidents, although preventative measures appear to have helped limit the consequences.
According to the Andalucian government’s latest emergency report, Sevilla recorded the highest number of incidents on Wednesday, with 79, followed by Cádiz with 49 and Huelva with 45. Córdoba reported 15, while Málaga and Granada recorded nine each.
Since the severe weather episode began at midnight on Monday, Sevilla has accounted for 147 emergency calls, Cádiz 87 and Huelva 60. The cumulative figures also include 28 incidents in Córdoba, 24 in Málaga, 13 in Granada and one each in Almería and Jaén.
Fallen trees, flooded roads and damaged buildings
Much of Wednesday’s disruption involved falling objects and damage caused by strong winds. Emergency services recorded 79 incidents involving falling trees, structural damage or other objects, alongside 51 traffic-related emergencies.
In Cádiz, a fallen tree temporarily restricted traffic on the A-408 near Puerto Real, while emergency teams also responded to reports of a collapsed nightclub roof, damage to buildings and trees falling onto parked vehicles. The road incident was subsequently resolved, but the wider disruption illustrated the dangers posed by powerful gusts.
Huelva experienced flooding in homes, streets and roads, alongside fallen trees and damaged electricity or communications cables. At 5.51 pm, the Port Authority of Huelva activated its emergency self-protection plan at response level one, reflecting the difficult conditions affecting port operations.
In Sevilla, emergency teams responded to flooded properties and roads, as well as vehicles damaged by falling trees. Córdoba reported damage to a residential roof, an overturned vehicle and an incident involving someone trapped inside a park, while Granada recorded falling branches and building materials.
Málaga also experienced flooding in homes and roads, together with reports of falling masonry and damaged cornices. Although the province recorded fewer incidents than western Andalucia, the combination of strong winds and saturated ground continued to pose risks.
Roads closed as emergency warnings reach residents
Two roads were reported closed in both directions because of flooding, according to information supplied by Spain’s Directorate-General for Traffic (DGT). These were the A-5054 near Isla Cristina in Huelva, between kilometres 8 and 8.2, and the A-8080 near Guillena in Sevilla.
Motorists have been urged not to attempt to cross flooded roads, even where the water appears shallow. Heavy rainfall can conceal damaged surfaces or create currents strong enough to move vehicles, making alternative routes the safer option.
At 3.01 pm on Wednesday, Andalucia’s emergency service sent ES-Alert warnings directly to mobile phones in 30 municipalities across coastal Cádiz, Huelva and the Strait of Gibraltar. Residents were advised to avoid unnecessary journeys and follow official safety instructions as dangerous weather conditions developed.
The alerts were sent to the same municipalities where face-to-face classes and activities at day centres had already been suspended. Authorities had taken the decision because of forecasts indicating wind gusts potentially reaching 120km/h in exposed coastal areas.
School closures and restrictions along the coast
The Andalucian government has maintained the regional flood emergency plan at operational level one, allowing emergency services and local authorities to coordinate their response. The suspension of classes on Wednesday affected 12 municipalities in Huelva and 18 in Cádiz and the Strait of Gibraltar.
In Huelva, the affected municipalities included the provincial capital, Ayamonte, Isla Cristina, Lepe, Cartaya, Almonte and Punta Umbría. In Cádiz, restrictions covered locations including Cádiz city, Chiclana, San Fernando, Sanlúcar de Barrameda, Algeciras, Tarifa and La Línea de la Concepción.
Parks and public gardens in areas under orange wind warnings were also ordered to close, reducing the risk of injuries from falling branches and trees. Coastal authorities were asked to restrict access to exposed beaches and seafront areas along Cádiz and Huelva, as well as the western Málaga coastline towards the provincial capital.
Ports under the responsibility of the Andalucian Public Ports Agency in Cádiz and Huelva were ordered to close between midday and 10.00 pm while adverse coastal weather warnings remained active. The restrictions were introduced as powerful winds and dangerous sea conditions made maritime activity increasingly hazardous.
Heavy rainfall recorded across western Andalucia
Rainfall measurements published by Spain’s national meteorological agency, AEMET, show that some inland areas received substantial amounts of rain during Wednesday. By 6.30 pm, Cazalla de la Sierra in Sevilla had recorded 64.5 litres per square metre, followed by Alájar in Huelva with 63.2 and Tharsis with 60.
Guadalcanal in Sevilla recorded 56.2 litres per square metre, while Cala in Huelva received 54.6 and El Cerro de Andévalo recorded 50.6. These figures illustrate the widespread nature of the rainfall, particularly across the western provinces.
Wind measurements were also significant, although the highest observed gusts in the official evening assessment remained below the most extreme forecast values. Between 4.00 pm and 7.00 pm, AEMET recorded gusts of 85km/h in Alosno, 83km/h in Moguer and 75km/h in Ayamonte, all in Huelva, while Jerez de la Frontera recorded 71km/h.
Orange weather warnings remained in place across several areas until midnight, with potential gusts of 120km/h along the Cádiz and Huelva coastlines and around the Strait of Gibraltar. The authorities also warned of the possibility of tornadoes or waterspouts near the coast, although these were forecast risks rather than confirmed events.
What weather is expected on Thursday?
Although the most severe conditions in western Andalucia are expected to ease, the weather risk is shifting eastwards. AEMET’s forecast for Thursday, 12 November, places Almería among the areas facing the strongest warnings, with orange alerts for wind and dangerous coastal conditions.
In the Valle del Almanzora and Los Vélez, gusts of up to 100km/h are forecast from midnight until late afternoon. Coastal areas around Almería and Levante are also expected to experience strong winds and waves reaching three to four metres, with orange coastal warnings in place during the first part of Thursday.
Granada and Jaén will continue to face yellow wind warnings, with gusts potentially reaching 80–90km/h in exposed areas. Parts of Málaga, including the Axarquía and the Sol and Guadalhorce coastal area, may also experience hazardous sea conditions during the early hours.
Residents should check the latest AEMET weather warnings before travelling, as alert levels and affected areas can change as the storm moves east. School arrangements and local restrictions for Thursday should also be checked with the relevant authorities rather than assuming Wednesday’s measures will remain in force.
Emergency services urge residents to remain cautious
Andalucia’s emergency authorities are advising residents to avoid unnecessary journeys while severe weather warnings remain active. Loose objects should be secured on balconies and terraces, while people should keep away from trees, unstable structures, building cornices and scaffolding during periods of strong wind.
Particular caution is needed near beaches, harbours and exposed promenades, where large waves and sudden gusts can create dangerous conditions. Residents are also being warned against approaching the sea to photograph or film the storm, even when conditions appear temporarily calmer.
Anyone encountering flooding should avoid entering underground garages or basements and move to higher ground if water levels begin to rise. Drivers should never attempt to cross flooded roads or watercourses, and emergencies should be reported by calling 112.
The latest figures demonstrate the considerable pressure placed on Andalucia’s emergency services over the past three days, although school closures and other preventative restrictions have reduced exposure to the worst conditions. With warnings continuing into Thursday, authorities remain focused on preventing further incidents as Storm Charles moves across southern Spain.