The situation in the province of Cádiz has become so severe that hundreds of families have been forced to leave their homes. The reason is the rapid rise in the Guadalete River, which has reached a critical level. For local residents, this is not just another flood: it concerns their safety, property, and the hope of returning to normal life. Authorities in Andalucía have decided to take control to minimize risks and ensure evacuation as quickly as possible.
Within a few hours, 14 rural districts of Jerez de la Frontera were under threat of flooding. The situation was especially dire in La Ina, home to around 300 people. This settlement is completely cut off from the outside world due to flooding from not only the Guadalete, but also nearby streams. To accommodate evacuated families, the Chapín sports complex was swiftly prepared, and the first affected residents have already begun arriving.
Rescue operation
Authorities are acting as weather conditions steadily worsen. According to the mayor of Jerez, the situation is changing hour by hour: water levels continue to rise and forecasts remain grim. On Wednesday night into Thursday, dozens of homes were evacuated in Cañada del Carrillo, Cejos del Inglés, and Las Pachecas. Now the evacuation covers more and more villages and towns, including Portalillo, El Portal, Las 500, La Corta, La Greduela, Los Lagos, Repastaderos, Zarandillas, Lomopardo, and Mesas del Corral.
Special attention remains on Magallanes, La Guareña, and Rajamancera, where a monitoring regime is still in effect. Decisions regarding further evacuations are made on-site, based on the flood’s dynamics and road conditions. The operation involves Guardia Civil and Policía Nacional, who coordinate the evacuation of residents and maintain order in high-risk areas.
Alarming forecasts
Jerez Mayor María José García-Pelayo does not hide her concern: the situation is reminiscent of the 2009 disaster, when the Guadalete also overflowed its banks. However, the current flooding is unfolding on a larger scale and at a faster pace. According to her, what is happening now is nothing like the recent rains that also caused flooding—this time, the crisis is far more complex and dangerous.
Authorities warn that the peak of the emergency may occur in the coming hours. The period after 3 p.m. and into Friday morning is considered especially dangerous, with another surge of rainfall expected. All services have been switched to high-alert mode, and residents are urged to exercise maximum caution and follow the instructions of rescuers.
Life on hold
For hundreds of families from rural areas of Jerez, these days have become a real ordeal. Many were forced to leave their homes in haste, taking only the bare essentials. Temporary assistance has been organized at the Chapín sports complex, but uncertainty and anxiety about the future persist. Authorities promise to keep the situation under control, but much depends on the whims of nature and how the river behaves in the coming days.
Other settlements remain at risk as water levels continue to rise. Emergency headquarters are operating around the clock, and rescuers are prepared for new challenges. For many Cádiz residents, this is not their first battle with the elements, but this year’s flood will be remembered for a long time.
