Yes, these towns in the Serrania de Ronda and the Sierra de Grazalema have hit the headlines! Blanket coverage on national TV, online and in the national Press. For all the wrong reasons!
Because of the extreme weather coming in from the West, principally Storm Leonardo, red and orange alerts have been issued for Cadiz, Extremadura and parts of Andalucia. All schools are closed, except in Almeria province. Many supermarkets are shut and other places are expected to suspend their services.
Three hotels near us are underwater, residents have been evacuated from their homes in the Guadiaro Valley, and countless roads have been blocked by flood water.
On TV, President of the Andalucía regional government Juanma Moreno (PP), warned against travelling by car unless absolutely necessary.
Ronda today [La Opinion de Malaga]
Our personal story
Rita was due to fly to Germany today from Malaga Airport. Imagine our shock when we received weather alerts on our mobile phones last night warning us of the severe situation. Extensive research online indicated that the worst of the weather was from breakfast time onwards.
After considering several options Rita decided she would set off early alone and park at the airport. Accordingly she left at 06.30 in pouring rain for her 10.15 flight. She made good time, even managing to stop for a coffee on the Churriana road.
I booked her in at our regular car park service and Rita was at the airport before check-in opened!
[The Olive Press]
Everything went smoothly after that. Her flight departed 17 minutes late, but she is at least on her way to the snow and ice of south-west Germany.
Rita landed safe and sound a short while ago.
Back at the ranch
It's been pouring down non-stop. Daylight revealed that we now have a villa by a lake - our garden. Many might regard us as fortunate; indeed houses by lakes in countries like Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and the UK (eg The Lake District, Scotland, Wales) fetch a premium when sold.
However, since our lake is unintended and potentially damaging to our property (foundations, indoor flooding, rising damp) the opposite is the case.
Flooding in Ronda [The Olive Press]
What next?
Insurance and consorcio claims. I reckon the CCS will take over all of our claims for damage.
Starting with the damage caused by last Thursday's storms and now whatever happens over the next few days on top. Could be a big bill!
Flooding in Jimera de la Fra. [Euro Weekly News]
Update:
I ventured out in the car around midday to get some live photos, but soon returned home. It was looking far too dangerous to go any further (subsequently confirmed by live TV coverage of the affected areas). Here is a selection of photos I took in Fuente de la Higuera, where I live (in a villa by a lake!):
Links
"Here Comes the Rain Again!" - again! - Eye on Spain
Here Comes the Rain Again (Remastered Version) - song by The Eurythmics (YouTube)
HOW TO ..... make a claim for FLOOD DAMAGE? - Eye on Spain
The rain in Spain... - Secret Serrania
© Paul Whitelock
Pictures:
Euro Weekly News, Karl Smallman, La Opinion de Malaga, Paul Whitelock, The Olive Press
Thanks:
Paul Whitelock, www.eyeonspain.com, www.secretserrania.com
Tags:
Benaojan, claims, consorcio, CCS, Denmark, Euro Weekly News, Eurythmics, Eye on Spain, flood damage, foundations, Germany, Grazalema, "Here Comes the Rain Again!", indoor flooding, insurance, Karl Smallman, Lake District, La Opinion de Malaga, National News, Netherlands, Norway, Paul Whitelock, rising damp, Ronda, Scotland, Secret Serrania, The Olive Press, UK, Wales, weather alerts