The storm showed no mercy to the coastline of Matalascañas (Matalascañas) in the province of Huelva (Huelva). Powerful waves caused by Storm Francis literally wiped out more than four kilometers of the promenade. Three beach bars were completely destroyed and dozens of homes are now at risk of collapse. About fifteen families were forced to urgently leave their houses when it became clear that the foundations faced imminent disaster.
The problem of sand shortage along this stretch of coastline, bordering the Doñana National Park (Doñana), has dragged on for years. But this particular storm was the final blow: infrastructure designed for 150,000 summer visitors was nearly obliterated in just a few hours. Locals are panicking—the sea is advancing, and their normal lives are crumbling before their eyes.
Threat to homes
“I’m afraid our house will simply collapse,” one resident confesses, “the water isn’t retreating and the waves keep eroding the shore.” According to her, each year the sea takes away more sand, and now the threat has become very real for hundreds of families. Authorities are proposing a radical solution: moving the entire promenade further inland. But that’s no easy task—it means demolishing two hundred buildings, including not just private villas, but multi-story apartment blocks.
The City Council estimates the project will cost €600 million. But even if the funds are secured, implementation will take at least ten years. During this time, the sea could claim even more land, leaving residents without homes. For now, there is no alternative: reinforcing the old promenade is pointless as each new storm only makes the situation worse.
Sand and dams
The problem is compounded by the fact that in recent decades the coast has lost its natural sand supply. In the past, rivers brought hundreds of thousands of cubic meters of sand here every year, but the construction of dams and breakwaters near Huelva and Mazagón has altered the currents. Now, sand settles elsewhere, leaving Matalascañas unprotected against the sea.
As early as 2018, the Ministry of Ecology admitted that saving the beach would require importing at least 700,000 cubic meters of sand. However, work only began recently, and the storm caught everyone off guard. While officials argue over future plans, residents fear the next wave will destroy what remains of their homes and infrastructure.
Emergency measures
Authorities have opened a special assistance center for those affected. But this is clearly not enough: the risk of an environmental disaster is growing. The storm has already damaged the fence of the local treatment plant, and if the sea breaches the defenses, wastewater could get into the water. This threatens not only residents, but also the unique ecosystem of Doñana National Park.
The mayor blames not only the climate for what’s happening, but also mistakes of the past: “We waited eight years for a solution, and now we’re losing everything.” He is demanding immediate action from the ministry, warning that further delays could lead to even greater losses. Another storm wave is expected in the coming days, and no one dares predict what might remain of the seafront after the next onslaught of nature.
Turning Point
Officials admit it’s time to change the approach to life by the sea. “We have to learn to coexist with the increasingly aggressive sea,” says a ministry spokesperson. Temporary measures—adding sand and reinforcing breakwaters—will only postpone the inevitable. The real solution is to move the seafront inland and give up the familiar lifestyle on the front line.
But are residents ready for this? For many, it’s not just an economic blow but a true tragedy. Their way of life is crumbling, and uncertainty lies ahead. The climate is changing, and Spain’s coastline will never be the same. The only question is how many more homes and beaches will vanish before real change comes.
