Juanma Moreno has warned Andalucia of ‘exceptional’ weather on Wednesday as an atmospheric river prepares drop a water bomb across the region.
Speaking at an urgent press conference on Tuesday, the regional president said the emergency level has been raised to two.
‘This means we will incorporate support from other bodies, local police, national police, etc’ he said.
He added that troops from Spain’s Unidad Militar de Emergencias will be on standby to help if required.
The Partido Popular leader said that the precautionary measure is to avoid victims of a potential disaster or serious incident having to wait ‘four or five hours’ for troops to arrive.
Moreno added: ‘At 8pm tonight, an ES-alert message will be sent to people in zones where the rainfall will be very elevated.
‘Where does this mean? All those areas under a red alert, all of Grazalema, and the Campo de Gibraltar, Ronda in Malaga province and Los Puentes in Jaen.’
In a plea to residents, Moreno said: ‘We ask that you restrict travel on Wednesday… this means that any journey that is not absolutely necessary, don’t make it.’
He recalled that there have been multiple deaths during storms over the past couple of months, which he said were ‘completely avoidable’.
He added: ‘Please, we ask for MAXIMUM PRUDENCE from all Andalucians, wherever they may live.
‘Great care with riverbeds and streams and flood-prone areas. Let’s avoid any risk and ensure no one crosses a body of water.’
Read more Andalucia news at the Spanish Eye.
