Popular holiday destinations in southern Spain are grappling with the aftermath of devastating floods, prompting urgent travel warnings for British tourists. The severe weather over the weekend of 28-29 December 2025 has resulted in two fatalities, with a third person still missing.
Storm Impact and Current Weather Warnings
Intense rainfall struck the provinces of Malaga, Granada, and Almería on Saturday and Sunday, causing rivers to burst their banks, streets to flood, and triggering landslides. The regional emergency services in Andalusia reported numerous incidents, including flooded homes and roads blocked by debris.
While the most severe red and orange weather alerts have been lifted, a yellow warning remains in place for parts of Andalusia, the Balearic Islands, and southern mainland Spain. Spain's meteorological service, Aemet, warns that active storms in the region could still bring small hail showers.
Antonio Sanz, Minister of Health, Presidency and Emergencies, has urged the public to exercise "maximum caution, awareness and responsibility." Although a brief period of stability is expected from Tuesday 30 December, a new storm is forecast to approach from the Atlantic on 1 January, potentially affecting the area later in the week.
Areas Affected and Casualties
The city of Malaga was particularly hard-hit, with its principal river, the Guadalhorce, overflowing. Emergency responders, including the local police and fire brigade, dealt with dozens of weather-related calls. In the Santa Amalia neighbourhood, residents were advised to move to upper floors as a precaution.
Tragically, two men lost their lives. The body of a motorcyclist swept away by floodwaters in Íllora, Granada, was recovered. A second man, who had been missing in Alhaurín el Grande, Malaga, since Saturday, was also found dead. The search continues for a third missing man in the same area, with efforts focused on the banks of the Fahala and Guadalhorce rivers.
Travel Advice for UK Tourists
The UK's Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has not issued specific warnings against travel to the flood-affected regions. Its general advice for flooding in Spain is to check Aemet weather warnings before travelling and follow the instructions of local authorities.
Regarding flight disruptions, over 20 flights bound for Malaga Costa del Sol Airport were diverted on Saturday due to the adverse conditions. Operations have since normalised, but passengers are advised to check with their airline for the latest updates.
If your flight is cancelled, UK law entitles you to care and assistance from the airline, including food, drink, accommodation, and transport. However, compensation is not payable for cancellations caused by "extraordinary circumstances" like extreme weather.
Cancelling your holiday is more complex. As the FCDO has not advised against travel, there is no automatic right to a full refund. Your ability to cancel or postpone will depend entirely on your tour operator's terms and conditions. Travel insurance is unlikely to cover cancellation due to safety concerns unless the FCDO changes its official advice, though some policies include natural disaster cover.
