The Junta de Andalucía on 16 September 2026 in the province of Almería the emergency level Situación Operativa 1 of the Plan de Emergencia ante el Riesgo de Inundaciones was activated. As head of the plan, Antonio Sanz ordered the measure to coordinate services and ensure that resources were ready in view of the forecast severe weather. The decision came ahead of imminent heavy rain accompanied by thunderstorms in the Levante almeriense.
The measure was based on warnings from the state weather agency AEMET. An orange alert had been issued for the eastern part of the province overnight on 17 September. Up to 50 litres of rain per square metre in one hour and up to 100 litres in twelve hours were expected; locally, strong gusts and hail were possible. The orange warning period for the Levante almeriense was given as 03:00 to 12:00 on 17 September.
The Agencia de Emergencias de Andalucía sent an ES-Alert to mobile phones in the affected municipalities. It advised people to avoid unnecessary journeys, stay away from watercourses and low-lying areas, follow instructions from emergency responders and call 112 if necessary. As a precaution, in-person classes on 17 September were suspended in Pulpí, Huércal-Overa and Cuevas de Almanzora ; parks and gardens in the same places also remained closed.
Situación Operativa 1 describes a situation that can be managed using the Andalusian administration’s usual resources or with limited support. Its activation partially or fully mobilises the flood plan’s structures and involves increased public information. According to the Junta, the situation was continuously monitored and emergency responders remained on standby. At the time of the statement, the control rooms of Emergencias 112 Andalucía had received no reports of significant incidents related to the rainfall.
The step in Almería came as widespread severe weather warnings were issued along Spain’s east coast on the same day. Although the forecasts cover a limited period, the authorities are maintaining a response based on conditions and intend to adapt measures as needed. Established safety advice remains in force for the public: keep away from river courses and roads at risk of flooding, travel only when absolutely necessary, do not drive through flooded areas, and follow instructions from the police, fire service and civil protection.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).