Storm Leonardo sparked scenes of chaos along the Costa del Sol on Wednesday after unleashing fierce winds and strong episodes of rain.
The region is under an orange alert for the entire day, with state weather agency Aemet warning of 150mm of rain over the 24-hour period – plus gusts of 80km/hr.
In Mijas, part of the coastal pathway was wrecked after rough seas and wind destroyed a bridged section in El Capricho.
Across Marbella, enormous trees were filmed toppled in San Pedro de Alcantara, Guadalmina Baja and Nueva Andalucia.
In the latter, one large tree was pictured crushing a parked car after being uprooted by the storm.
Roads were flooded across the coast, with drivers told to take extra caution if traveling between Marbella and Estepona.
Marbella town hall said: ‘The DGT (Spanish Directorate General of Traffic) recommends caution when traveling between Marbella and Estepona.
‘Remember that the section of motorway between San Pedro Alcantara and El Velerin is flooded, so travel is only possible with caution.’
In Estepona, a rockslide occurred on the MA-8301 road, which connects to Genalguacil, and trees fell on the MA-8300 and on the A-7 at kilometer 1073, according to the Provincial Fire Consortium.
In Manilva, the rising river has forced the closure of the road, leaving 250 residents isolated.
In Marbella, Wednesday morning was calm, but emergency services remain on high alert regarding the Guadaiza and Verde rivers due to their high water levels.
In the case of the Verde River, the release of water from the La Concepcion Reservoir is causing the water level to rise; despite this, a vehicle attempted to cross it last night and became trapped, requiring the rescue of three people – with at least the driver facing criminal sanctions.
Elsewhere, the 1,500 residents of El Secadero, in Casares, have once again been isolated due to the rising waters of the Guadiaro River, which is at red alert level due to the high flow resulting from recent rains.
In anticipation of what was to come, the Town Hall opened a nursing station yesterday, which will be operational 24/7 to attend to any medical emergencies.
Emergency services (112) have also been notified to coordinate air ambulance transport should the situation require it.
The situation in Casares Pueblo is also worsening. A landslide on the MA-8300 road has forced its closure, with concerns focused on the homes in the nearby residential area.
Access to Casares via the Los Pedregales road, which connects to Estepona, is also blocked.
Read more Andalucia news at the Spanish Eye.
