Heavy Rain Causes Spain Flooding

Torrential rains have caused widespread flooding in southern Spain, forcing the evacuation of thousands of people and leaving at least one person dead.

The rains began on Tuesday and have continued to fall throughout the week, causing rivers to burst their banks and inundate towns and villages. The worst-hit areas are in the provinces of Malaga, Cadiz, and Seville.

In the town of Alhaurin el Grande, near Malaga, the river Guadalhorce burst its banks and flooded the town center, forcing the evacuation of more than 4,000 people. In the nearby town of Coin, a man died when his car was swept away by floodwaters.

In the province of Cadiz, the town of Jerez de la Frontera has been particularly badly hit. The river Guadalete burst its banks and flooded the town center, forcing the evacuation of more than 1,000 people. In the nearby town of Sanlucar de Barrameda, the river Guadalquivir burst its banks and flooded the town center, forcing the evacuation of more than 2,000 people.

In the province of Seville, the town of Utrera has been particularly badly hit. The river Guadalquivir burst its banks and flooded the town center, forcing the evacuation of more than 3,000 people. In the nearby town of Dos Hermanas, the river Guadaira burst its banks and flooded the town center, forcing the evacuation of more than 1,000 people.

The heavy rains are expected to continue for the next few days, and the flooding is likely to get worse before it gets better. The Spanish government has declared a state of emergency in the affected areas, and the army has been deployed to help with the evacuation and relief efforts.

Here are some tips for staying safe in a flood:

• Avoid driving through flooded areas. Even a few inches of water can cause your car to stall.
• If you must walk through floodwaters, use a sturdy stick to help you keep your balance.
• Be aware of downed power lines. Never touch a downed power line, and always report it to the authorities.
• If you are in a building that is flooding, move to higher ground. If you cannot get to higher ground, stay in a room on the top floor and close all the windows and doors.
• If you are caught in a flash flood, try to find a safe place to shelter. Do not try to outrun the floodwaters.

For more information on flood safety, please visit the website of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) at www.fema.gov.