Published December 15, 2025 | Category: Community

TL;DR: A red alert remains in effect in Almeria as Storm Emilia brings prolonged heavy rainfall across the province. Several districts are affected by extreme weather conditions, with rising river levels, overflowing ramblas and multiple emergency interventions. Authorities continue to urge extreme caution while the situation remains under review.

Red alert in Almeria remains in effect as Storm Emilia continues

A red alert in Almeria remains in effect as Storm Emilia continues to affect large parts of the province, with severe weather conditions persisting into Monday following a weekend of prolonged and intense rainfall. What initially began as steady rain has developed into a significant multi-day weather event, prompting emergency warnings and heightened concern across several districts.

According to Spain’s State Meteorological Agency (AEMET), the highest alert level remains active due to the risk of flooding, overflowing riverbeds and hazardous travel conditions. The situation is being closely monitored as rainfall continues and ground saturation increases across much of the province.

Red alert remains active in several districts

The red alert in Almeria, which represents the highest level of meteorological warning in Spain, remains active in Valle del Almanzora, Los Velez and the Levante region of Almeria. This alert level is issued when weather conditions pose a serious risk to personal safety and infrastructure.

In these districts, rainfall forecasts reached up to 120 litres per square metre within a 12-hour period, with several locations already exceeding that threshold. AEMET has stated that the continuation or downgrading of the red alert will depend on how rainfall develops throughout the day.

Other parts of the province have remained under orange or yellow alerts, reflecting the broader regional impact of Storm Emilia. Even in areas where lower alert levels apply, authorities continue to urge caution due to the prolonged and cumulative nature of the rainfall.

Exceptional rainfall totals recorded across the province

One of the defining characteristics of Storm Emilia has been the volume of rainfall recorded over a relatively short period. In several municipalities, accumulated rainfall has exceeded levels typically associated with isolated storm events in Almeria.

Among the most affected locations is Cuevas del Almanzora, where approximately 138 litres per square metre were recorded within just a few hours. Similar figures have been reported across the Levante region and parts of the Almanzora Valley.

High rainfall totals have also been recorded in:

• Huercal-Overa, with more than 116 litres per square metre
• Albanchez, exceeding 102 litres
• Lubrin, close to 100 litres
• Pulpi, including San Juan de los Terreros, with over 90 litres
• Vera Playa, approaching 90 litres per square metre

Across many inland municipalities, rainfall totals between 50 and 90 litres per square metre have been recorded. Rather than a single violent downpour, Storm Emilia has brought persistent rainfall over many hours, significantly increasing the risk of water accumulation and flooding.

Why prolonged rainfall poses a greater risk in Almeria

In Almeria, the dangers associated with heavy rain are not always immediately visible. Much of the province is characterised by dry riverbeds, known locally as ramblas, which can remain empty for extended periods before filling rapidly during sustained rainfall.

As Storm Emilia has continued, the ground has become increasingly saturated, reducing its ability to absorb additional water. This has led to increased runoff, causing ramblas to fill suddenly and, in some cases, overflow without obvious warning.

This helps explain why prolonged rainfall can be more dangerous than short, intense cloudbursts. Water accumulates steadily over time, placing pressure on drainage systems, riverbeds and low-lying areas, particularly during the night or early morning hours when visibility is reduced.

Rising river levels and pressure on ramblas

The Almanzora River has seen a notable increase in flow as it passes through municipalities such as Cantoria, Arboleas and Zurgena. While water levels remain within the riverbanks in many locations, authorities continue to monitor the situation closely due to ongoing rainfall upstream.

Smaller waterways and ramblas in municipalities including Lubrin and Pulpi have also experienced significant increases in water flow. In some areas, normally dry crossings and access roads have become temporarily impassable.

Emergency services stress that attempting to cross flooded ramblas is extremely dangerous, even when water appears shallow. Fast-moving water can undermine road surfaces and sweep vehicles away with little resistance.

Emergency response and official warnings

As conditions worsened on Sunday evening, the red alert in Almeria was extended in the Levante region. Residents in affected areas received mobile emergency alerts issued through the Andalusian emergency system, warning of the heightened risk posed by flooding and flash floods.

Several town halls activated their municipal emergency plans as a precaution. Emergency services were deployed overnight to monitor vulnerable zones, river crossings and infrastructure at risk.

Firefighters carried out a number of precautionary interventions, including assisting people whose vehicles became trapped in flooded ramblas. No serious injuries have been officially reported.

Official advice for residents and visitors

Authorities at both regional and national level have repeatedly urged residents to exercise extreme caution while the red alert in Almeria remains in effect. Official guidance focuses on reducing unnecessary risk during periods of severe weather.

Key recommendations include:

• Avoid non-essential travel, especially during night-time hours
• Never attempt to cross flooded roads or ramblas
• Remain alert to sudden changes in water levels
• Move to higher ground if flooding threatens homes or access routes

Visitors unfamiliar with local geography are advised to take warnings particularly seriously. Ramblas may appear harmless until water levels rise rapidly, often upstream from where rainfall is visible.

What happens next

Storm Emilia remains an evolving situation. Weather conditions will continue to be reassessed by AEMET throughout the day, with any changes to the red alert in Almeria depending on rainfall intensity, duration and ground saturation.

Even if rainfall begins to ease, authorities warn that risks can persist for some time, particularly in areas where water has already accumulated in riverbeds and low-lying zones.

Residents and visitors are advised to follow official updates closely and to continue exercising caution until conditions stabilise across the province.

For more local updates, safety information and community news from across the province, browse the latest articles in our Community section.

Published December 10, 2025 | Category: Events

TL;DR: The Archilla–Cañada Sebastiana neighbourhood in Vícar is kicking off the Christmas season with a family-friendly afternoon featuring a homemade sponge cake competition and creative workshops for children.

Archilla Celebrates Christmas with Sponge Cakes and Creative Workshops for Kids

Christmas in Archilla begins with a warm, community-focused celebration this Friday, bringing families and neighbours together for an afternoon filled with creativity, local flavours and festive spirit. Organised by the AMPA ‘Futuro’ of CEIP Profesor Tierno Galván, the event highlights the strong social and cultural involvement of the neighbourhood.

Vícar’s mayor, Antonio Bonilla, emphasised the value of these initiatives, noting that they reflect “a municipality where all social groups have their place and take an active role in promoting culture and neighbourhood bonding.”

Event Details

The Christmas gathering will take place on 12 December from 16:30 onwards at the María Moliner Library. The programme includes a lively Sponge Cake Contest, with prizes for the three best entries as judged by the event’s panel.

There will also be a festive draw offering a fresh produce box and a traditional cured ham shoulder, adding an extra touch of holiday cheer for attendees.

Activities for Children

The youngest visitors will enjoy their own creative space, with hands-on workshops featuring painted plaster figures and handmade Christmas ornaments — perfect for decorating the family tree and getting into the holiday spirit.

Want more Christmas events, workshops and local celebrations across the province? Explore our Events section for the latest updates.

Published December 11, 2025 | Category: Community

TL;DR: Vera continues its cultural heritage restoration efforts with the repair of a 16th-century municipal minutes book and the conservation of the historic Royal Banner, safeguarding key documents and symbols of the town’s identity.

Vera Cultural Heritage Restoration: 16th-Century Archives and the Historic Royal Banner

The municipality of Vera has taken an important step in its ongoing cultural heritage restoration efforts, completing the repair of a 16th-century municipal minutes book and advancing the conservation of the town’s historic Royal Banner. Together, these projects reinforce Vera’s long-term commitment to protecting the documents and symbols that define its historical identity.

Restoring the 16th-Century Municipal Minutes Book

The Andalusian Institute of Historical Heritage (IAPH) has restored Book of Minutes No. 12, dating from 1571–1575. This volume is a key source for understanding Vera’s administrative history after the Reconquista and forms part of the town’s most valuable archival records.

Due to centuries of use, the book showed deterioration in bindings, pages and cover materials. The restoration has stabilised the document, repaired vulnerable folios and improved its long-term preservation so it can be safely consulted and studied.

The restoration was presented at Vera Town Hall by the Director General of the IAPH, Juan José Primo Jurado, alongside members of the Intervention Centre, the Mayor of Vera, Alfonso García Ramos, and the Councillor for Culture and Heritage, Antonio Jesús Soler Castaño.

Additional Archive Volumes Sent for Future Conservation

Two more municipal minutes books — No. 13 (1575–1579) and No. 14 (1579–1590) — were also delivered to the IAPH. They will now undergo technical assessment before their own conservation projects begin. These documents are crucial historical sources that illuminate political, economic and social life in Vera during the 16th century.

Preserving the Royal Banner of Vera

The IAPH is also working on the conservation of the Royal Banner of Vera, a crimson damask textile adorned with heraldic elements. Since the 1990s it has been displayed in the plenary hall of the Town Hall, framed for protection.

The banner is historically linked to the Charters of Vera (1494), granted by the Catholic Monarchs, although some research suggests that the heraldry may date from the era of Philip V. Regardless of origin, its symbolic significance for the municipality is unquestionable.

The conservation process aims to stabilise the textile, prevent further material degradation and ensure that the banner can continue to be displayed safely as one of Vera’s most important cultural icons.

Why Cultural Heritage Restoration Matters for Vera

These combined efforts highlight the importance of Vera cultural heritage restoration for the community. By protecting documents and symbols that are centuries old, the town ensures:

• The long-term preservation of irreplaceable historical sources.
• Support for academic and local historical research.
• A stronger civic identity rooted in documented heritage.
• A cultural legacy that can be shared with residents, schools and visitors.

The restoration work is carried out by the Andalusian Institute of Historical Heritage (IAPH) in collaboration with Vera Town Hall, strengthening one of the most significant cultural preservation initiatives in the municipality.

Want to explore more heritage, stories and community updates? Browse our Community section.

Published December 4, 2025 | Category: Events

TL;DR: The 2025 Mojacar Christmas Lights Switch-On attracted more than 7,000 visitors to the old town, marking a record-breaking start to the festive season and confirming its status as a true “Ferrero Rocher Village”.

Mojacar Christmas Lights 2025: Record Crowds Celebrate a Magical Switch-On

Mojacar has officially kicked off its Christmas 2025 celebrations – and this year’s switch-on will be remembered as one of the most spectacular the town has ever seen. According to local media reports in Diario de Almeria and La Voz de Almeria, the day attracted thousands of visitors, with more than 7,000 people gathering in Mojacar Pueblo for the official lighting ceremony.

The celebrations began early in the day with Disney Day, an immersive experience that transformed the narrow streets of the old town into a magical world of characters, workshops, and activities. Local coverage estimated that more than 5,000 visitors enjoyed the morning festivities alone, filling the white-washed lanes with families and Disney fans from across the province.

In the afternoon, the Disney Concert performed by the Mojacar Municipal Band brought even more people into the heart of the town. But the real highlight came just after sunset, when the Christmas lights illuminated plazas, balconies, and alleyways – earning cheers and applause from thousands of spectators.

Mayor Francisco Garcia called the day “magical” and expressed enormous pride in the town’s ability to keep raising the bar each year. Mojacar has long embraced its reputation as a Ferrero Rocher Village, and this historic turnout shows that its festive charm continues to shine brighter every season.

The switch-on marks the start of a full festive programme running through early January. Highlights include:

• 20 December – Christmas Market opening in Mojacar Pueblo
• 21 December – Flamenco Christmas Zambomba
• 27 December – Zambomba “Chanqueños pa’ Belén”
• 31 December – Children’s New Year’s Eve
• 5 January – Three Kings Parade

With concerts, workshops, characters and surprises throughout December, locals and visitors alike can look forward to a Christmas full of light, tradition and unforgettable moments in Mojacar.

Want to discover more events, fiestas and things to do across the province? Browse the latest updates in our Events section.