Sevilla is being battered by Storm Marta as heavy rain, thunder and winds of 90km/hr continue to wreak havoc across the province.
More than 160 people have been evacuated so far today, including the clearance of a care home in Tocina, while traffic disruptions affect at least 19 roads.
‘The province has more than 160 evacuees and over 1,500 personnel from the Spanish government deployed in response to the storm,’ the Subdelegación del Gobierno said at around 3pm on Saturday.
In Lora del Rio, 40 residents were forced to leave their homes due to the risk of flooding.
In El Palmar de Troya, another 13 people were evacuated for the same reason. More than 70 residents of Ecija are still unable to return to their homes.
The Ayuntamiento also released a video showing how a shanty town for homeless people had been submerged by flood water.
Evacuations have also taken place in Tocina, where 40 residents were moved out of an elderly care home as a preventive measure.
Officials said the decision was taken ahead of worsening conditions later in the day, given the particular vulnerability of some residents. The move was coordinated with the Diputacion de Sevilla.
Road closures
Nearly 20 roads and routes remain closed to traffic across the province.
Two of them, the SE-9225 (between Algamitas and Pruna) and the VIA 453 (from Pruna to the regional A-363), have been shut ‘indefinitely due to significant damage’, according to official information updated at 2.45pm on Saturday.
The Guadalquivir as it passes through the city of Sevilla has spread into its designated flood zones, but has not yet reached car parks or streets, according to sources from Emergencias 112 Andalucía.
Water has reached low-lying areas alongside parts of Isla de la Cartuja and the Triana district.
However, the Ayuntamiento de Sevilla says the water remains well away from residential areas and there is, for now, no evidence of the river bursting its banks or causing flooding within the city.
Following the impact of storm Leonardo and the arrival on Saturday of a new front, storm Marta, the city council has stepped up monitoring in flood-risk areas.
Strong winds and heavy rain have prompted Aemet to issue an orange weather warning for the province. Municipal services have also been reinforced as a precaution.
As part of these measures, tonight’s performance by Cirque du Soleil has been cancelled. The show was due to take place in the Charco de la Pava, an area very close to the Guadalquivir and outside the main flood defence wall.
In addition, the La Liga match scheduled for Sunday between Sevilla FC and Girona FC has been postponed until tomorrow. The city council has deployed additional teams to inspect stretches of the riverbank where water levels are currently highest.
Read more Andalucia news at the Spanish Eye.
