Lorraine Williamson
Authorities across southern Spain ordered evacuations and issued emergency alerts overnight as Storm Leonardo evacuations in Andalucía intensified, with rivers rising rapidly and saturated ground increasing the risk of flooding and landslides.
Residents in parts of Cádiz and Córdoba were moved from their homes. Meanwhile, officials urged the public to remain vigilant as heavy rain continued into Friday. Emergency teams described the situation as “extraordinary” in some areas due to already-full aquifers and danger of sudden water surges.
Grazalema residents moved to safety
One of the most significant developments came in the mountain village of Grazalema, where officials ordered a full evacuation as a precaution against possible ground instability and flooding.
Regional president Juanma Moreno confirmed that residents were transported to nearby Ronda in an organised operation involving emergency services and local authorities. The move was mandatory rather than voluntary, with officials stressing that safety concerns left no alternative.
Authorities say checks on terrain stability will be carried out once the worst of the storm has passed, before residents can return home.
Córdoba flood alerts and evacuations
Further east, emergency alerts were sent to residents in Córdoba province as the Guadalquivir river rose following days of sustained rainfall. Civil protection services issued an Es-Alert warning to mobile phones in affected areas, instructing people to move away from flood-prone zones.
Several urbanisations were evacuated overnight as a precaution. Officials warned that the ground already saturated with water leaves little capacity to absorb additional rainfall, increasing the risk of sudden flooding.
Emergency teams remain on standby, and residents have been urged to avoid riverbanks, underpasses and low-lying roads.
Schools open with exceptions
Despite the severe weather, most schools across Andalucía opened on Friday morning. However, regional authorities confirmed closures in specific areas:
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Meteorological districts of Ronda and Grazalema
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Municipalities affected by evacuations or flooding risk
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Schools that are damaged or inaccessible
The regional government said decisions were taken in coordination with local councils and emergency services, with safety as the priority.
Ongoing alerts and public warnings
Storm Leonardo continues to move across southern Spain, bringing persistent rainfall and localised flooding. Officials are urging residents to avoid unnecessary travel, follow instructions from emergency services and remain alert to changing conditions.
Weather warnings remain in place in several provinces, and authorities say further evacuations could be ordered if conditions worsen.
With rivers swollen and ground saturated after repeated storms this winter, even moderate rainfall can trigger rapid flooding. Emergency teams are expected to remain deployed across affected regions throughout the day.
Sources: Reuters, El País, Cadena SER, Cordopolis