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Date Published: 18/03/2025

Storm Laurence sparks chaos across Andalucía with dozens of rescues and evacuations

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Emergency services have responded to over 191 incidents in various areas of Andalucía

📢⚫️En #Sevilla, permanece cortada la AP-4, en ambos sentidos, por inundaciones, entre:

➡️ Dos Hermanas. P.K. 13.

➡️Las Cabezas de San Juan. P.K. 45.

🚨 Desvío por la N-4.

⚠️Eviten desplazamientos innecesarios.

📷 Imágenes tomadas desde el helicóptero de la DGT. pic.twitter.com/YPLnIWUsj1
— Dir. Gral. Tráfico (@DGTes) March 18, 2025

Storm Laurence has wreaked havoc across Andalucía, triggering widespread flooding, trapping residents, and forcing emergency rescues. In total, 112 emergency services coordinated almost 200 incidents on Monday March 17, with the worst-hit areas including Seville, Córdoba and Huelva. At least 44 people had to be rescued as fast-rising waters engulfed homes, roads and even a film set.

One of the most dramatic rescues took place in Sanlúcar la Mayor (Seville), where a 40-person film crew became trapped near the rapidly swelling Guadiamar River. Local police, firefighters, the Civil Guard, and Civil Protection officers rushed to the scene, ultimately evacuating the crew via the A-472 highway.

Elsewhere in Seville province, in Arahal, a 73-year-old man narrowly escaped disaster when rising waters from the Buitrero stream began sweeping his car away. Quick-thinking residents, using a tractor with an extendable boom, managed to pull the vehicle to safety before the current could take hold. However, the storm continued to cause disruption in the area, leaving around a dozen residents in the Valle Verde residential area stranded.

In Córdoba province, a man had to be rescued from his home in Belmez after floodwaters surrounded his property. Firefighters responded to the emergency at around 1.15pm, managing to evacuate the resident safely. Meanwhile, authorities in Añora have launched a search operation for a missing man in his 70s, who was last seen setting off on his bicycle around midday on Monday. With no sign of him or his bicycle, officers have been scouring the area with drones and search teams since 5am on Tuesday March 18.

Huelva was also hit hard by the storm. Emergency teams rescued a couple trapped in their vehicle in the Romería area, with a 69-year-old woman later taken to Juan Ramón Jiménez Hospital for possible hypothermia. In Las Peguerillas, a dozen residents had to be evacuated due to rising waters, while in Los Palmares, five homes were cleared out as the Odiel River burst its banks. Firefighters used a Zodiac-type boat to carry out evacuations just after midnight, as torrential rain left homes at risk.

Further damage was reported in Peñarroya-Pueblonuevo (Córdoba), where the roof of an abandoned house collapsed due to the heavy rainfall. Meanwhile, emergency crews in La Palma del Condado responded to the collapse of a house wall on Calvario Street, where a three-year-old boy suffered minor head and foot injuries. He was treated at a local primary care centre before being transferred to Juan Ramón Jiménez Hospital for further monitoring. Other residents of the house were also evacuated as a precaution.

With floodwaters still receding, emergency teams remain on high alert as the region assesses the full extent of the damage caused by Storm Laurence. Authorities continue to urge caution, especially in areas prone to flooding, as clean-up efforts begin.

A mis conocidos y amigos andaluces cuidaros e ir con cuidado.menudo desastre este tiempo , menos mal que tenemos a la Guardia Civil que pone a salvo tanto a las personas cómo a los animales.esto es en Cartama(Málaga).Que grandes son 😍😍😍💚👮‍♂️👮‍♀️🙏👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻#ProfesionDeRiesgoYa pic.twitter.com/f40aPCvkSO
— Mar Serrano (@Marseji17) March 18, 2025

Videos: Guardia Civil and DGT/X (Twitter)

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