Storm Francis triggers severe floods across Málaga Province, Spain

Severe flooding struck Málaga Province, southern Spain, through Sunday and Monday, January 4 and 5, 2026, as Storm Francis brought torrential rainfall, dropping totals of up to 200 mm (8 inches) in parts of the Guadalhorce Valley and Costa del Sol. A Red Alert was issued for parts of the region as rivers overflowed, prompting evacuations and emergency rescues across Cártama, Alhaurín de la Torre, and Málaga city.

Storm Francis brought heavy rainfall across southern Spain through January 4–5, triggering severe floods in Málaga Province. The Spanish Meteorological Agency (AEMET) put the Guadalhorce Valley and Costa del Sol Occidental under a Red Alert due to extreme rainfall and flood risk.

Rainfall totals reached about 120 mm (4.7 inches) in 12 hours in parts of the Guadalhorce Valley. Meanwhile, cumulative totals of around 200 mm (7.9 inches) were reported in the Cártama–Alhaurín corridor.

Three rivers, the Guadalhorce, Fahala, and Campanillas, overflowed their banks, flooding nearby homes and roads. Emergency services in Málaga Province responded to over 120 flood related incidents in 24 hours between January 4 and 5.

Three families were evacuated in the area of La Dehesa late in the afternoon on January 4. A woman was rescued from her car after it became trapped in waist-deep water in a tunnel near Málaga Airport. At least 30 residents were evacuated from flooded homes in Cártama as water levels rose rapidly along the Guadalhorce River.

Road closures were reported along the MA-5401, which connects El Burgo with Casarabonela, and the MA-8302, in Genalguacil.

References:

¹ Storm Francis leaves more than 200mm of rainfall in Guadalhorce Valley and Costa del Sol during red weather warning – SIE – January 5, 2026

² Second red alert warning for floods sent out to Costa del Sol – EW – January

Feature image credit: Juan

Rishav Kothari

I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.

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