Malaga capital activates emergency: closes public centers and will pay special attention to homeless people and watercourses

The Málaga City Council plans to activate tonight at 23:00 hours the Local Civil Protection Emergency Territorial Plan of Málaga, ... in the Pre-emergency phase (operational situation 0), due to the orange alert issued by the State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) for rain and coastal phenomena expected from midnight until 23:59 hours tomorrow Wednesday. This situation, which involves the possibility of mobilizing all necessary human resources to address a potential emergency, is complemented by the elevation to emergency phase level 2 of the Flood Risk Plan in Andalusia (PERI) established by the Junta de Andalucía, integrating the Málaga plan into the regional one to respond to any demands that may arise elsewhere.

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Given the forecast of heavy rainfall and once in-person educational activities have been suspended by the Junta de Andalucía, the City Council advises citizens to avoid unnecessary travel. In this regard, the Department of Human Resources and Quality has established that all municipal staff, except for Local Police, Firefighters, or those who must perform their duties in person at workplaces that must remain open, will work remotely tomorrow.

Additionally, as a preventive measure, municipal facilities such as museums and cultural spaces, libraries, senior day centers, sports facilities, and outdoor sports areas will remain closed tomorrow. Likewise, both the Alcazaba and the Gibralfaro Castle will be closed to the public, while the city's fenced and perimeter parks, including the Historic Botanical Garden La Concepción, will also be temporarily closed. This decision affects the following green spaces: in the Centro district, those of Hospital Noble, Alfonso XII, San Miguel, and the perimeter accesses to Málaga Park; in the Este district, El Morlaco and Alberto Suárez 'Pipi'; in the Ciudad Jardín district, La Alegría and the Historic Botanical Garden La Concepción; the North Park in Bailén-Miraflores; San Rafael and Picasso in Cruz del Humilladero; Huelin, Oeste, María Luisa, and Litoral in Carretera de Cádiz; Parque Lineal in Campanillas; and those of Laguna de la Barrera, Héroes del Combate, and Parque del Cine in Teatinos. Additionally, municipal markets, study rooms, and Caja Blanca will also not open. Similarly, companies contracted for the maintenance of green areas will maintain an operation to address potential incidents.

Homeless people

The Department of Social Rights has implemented prevention and care measures for homeless people. Thus, the Street Unit will review the locations of greatest vulnerability where there may be homeless people, such as streams or bridges under watercourses, to inform them of the risk of rain and offer them the possibility of accessing a shelter place.

Safety tips

The City Council will provide information through its official social media profiles and, if necessary, also in person and on a preventive basis in those areas that, due to their specific characteristics, are determined at the technical level to require personalized communication. In this regard, citizens are advised not to heed rumors and only access verified information, i.e., that from public administrations, media, and official accounts, among others.

Additionally, Civil Protection's self-protection advice for citizens will also be disseminated through their official profiles on various social networks:

Before the start of the expected rain:

· Remove objects from outside homes that can be displaced by the rain: pots, awnings, etc.

· Place the most valuable objects and personal identification documents in high areas to prevent them from getting wet.

· Have a flashlight ready in case of a power outage.

· Do not park in dry riverbeds or on riverbanks to avoid being surprised by rising water.

During the rain:

· Close doors and windows to prevent damage.

· Do not touch any electrical device that is connected and wet.

· If caught in the rain outdoors, do not cross flooded sections.

· Always locate the highest areas to head to if necessary.

· Stay away from rivers, streams, and low-lying hillside areas.

Regarding the road:

· Avoid travel, especially at night.

· If it is absolutely necessary to use the car, prefer to travel on highways and freeways.

· Be alert for possible landslides or sinkholes on the road.

· If visibility is poor, stop on the shoulder and signal your position

· Be prepared to leave the vehicle if it gets stuck and the water rises above the wheel hub and exit through the windows if the water level continues to rise.

· Avoid pools of water and flooded areas.

· Drive with low gears and progress slowly