Pedro Sanchez visited Cadiz on Friday as the province continues to grapple with devastating floods brought on by a series of Atlantic storms.
The Spanish PM headed to San Roque after flying over some of the worst-hit areas, particularly in the Sierra de Cadiz.
Sanchez pledged full state support, not only during the current emergency, but also for the long-term rebuilding and recovery of affected communities.
The prime minister arrived by helicopter at the Vicente Blanca sports complex in Los Olivillos before heading to the Diego Salinas civic building, which has been operating as an emergency coordination centre.
There, he was welcomed by acting mayor Maria del Mar Collado, regional emergency chief Antonio Sanz, and several local mayors, including those from Grazalema and Castellar.
Representatives from the Guardia Civil, Policia Nacional, Local Police, Fire Brigade, Civil Protection and the Military Emergency Unit (UME) were also present.
Sanchez was accompanied by Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska and the Spanish government’s delegate in Andalucia, Pedro Fernandez.
Inside the command centre, he received detailed briefings on the impact of the successive storms that have battered Andalucia in recent weeks, with Storm Leonardo causing particularly severe disruption.
Speaking to the media afterwards, the PM praised the work of all administrations involved – local, regional and national – highlighting what he described as ‘excellent coordination’ between them. He said the cooperation with the Junta de Andalucia had been especially strong.
Sanchez explained that he had flown over parts of Cadiz province before arriving in San Roque to see first-hand the scale of the damage.
While large areas of Spain and even neighbouring Portugal have been affected, he said Cadiz and Malaga provinces have borne the brunt.
With ground already saturated, he expressed sympathy for residents who have been cut off, faced transport disruption or been forced to leave their homes.
More than 10,000 state personnel have been deployed as part of the emergency response, working alongside regional and local authorities.
Sanchez paid tribute to emergency workers and public servants for what he called their tireless efforts, stressing that support would continue ‘for as long as necessary’.
Looking ahead, he warned that more difficult days lie ahead, with another storm forecast to arrive soon.
He reassured residents that the government is already thinking beyond the immediate crisis.
‘We are not only responding to the emergency,’ he said, ‘but also planning for the reconstruction and recovery of the affected areas.’
He ended with an appeal for calm and caution, urging people to follow guidance from emergency services.
‘These will be long days,’ Sanchez said, ‘but the authorities will stay with the population – now, and throughout the rebuilding that will follow.’
In a post on X, he wrote: ‘I want to express my recognition to all public servants who are working day and night to ensure the safety of every single neighbour.
‘We have deployed more than 10,000 personnel, in perfect coordination with all the Administrations.
‘The State will stand by those affected until this climate crisis is overcome. Be very careful, more difficult days are coming again due to a new low-pressure system.’
Read more Andalucia news at the Spanish Eye.
