Spain weather warning over 'extreme risk' of flooding at Costa Del Sol's Brit holiday hotspots

This is a breaking news story.Spain’s Civil Protection Agency sent a mass alert to mobile phones in Malaga province just after 10pm last night

Thousands of people have been evacuated from their homes near the Costa del Sol over new flooding fears after a weather alert for the area went from yellow to red and locals and holidaymakers were warned: "There is 'extreme risk.'”

Spain’s Civil Protection Agency sent a mass alert to mobile phones in Malaga province just after 10pm last night warning in Spanish and English: “Red warning activated. Extreme risk of rainfall. Be very cautious, avoid travel.”

In a move estimated to have affected more than 300,000 pupils, it was announced all schools in the province would remain shut today.

A “preventative” evacuation began earlier of around 3,000 people living in approximately 1,000 homes near the Guadalhorce River, one of the worst-affected areas during torrential rainfall and storms a fortnight ago which were blamed for the death of a 71-year-old British expat.

The famous Costa del Sol including the tourist resorts of Marbella and Estepona is expected to take the brunt of the extreme weather phenomenon known as a DANA, a cold drop which was the cause of the catastrophic flash floods which killed more than 200 people in and around the east coast city of Valencia alone.

It was yet to start raining at first daylight on the famous stretch of coast this morning, but things are expected to change from around 10am local time with the red weather warning due to remain in place until midnight.

Regional government representative Antonio Sanz admitted last night as he announced the residential evacuations and today’s school closures: “The situation for the province of Malaga is of extreme risk.

“The forecast was that we were going to be on yellow alert but weather agency Aemet has raised this to red.”

Residents in specific areas near to the River Guadalhorce in inland towns like Alora, Cartama and Alhaurin de la Torre have been moved from their homes to temporary shelters including sports centres where they are unable to find alternative accommodation with friends or relatives.

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