Red Alert in Málaga: Torrential Rain and the ES-Alert Phone Alarm Explained

If you are currently in Málaga or the surrounding areas, you likely just experienced a jarring moment: a loud, high-pitched screeching sound coming from your mobile phone, accompanied by a vibration, even if your device was on silent.

This is not a spam message, and your phone has not been hacked. This is the ES-Alert system, and it signals a critical weather situation that requires your immediate attention.

Today, February 19, 2026, Málaga has entered a Red Alert status due to torrential rains. Here is what you need to know to stay safe.

Understanding the ES-Alert System

The sound you heard is part of Spain’s Civil Protection protocol. Known as ES-Alert (or the 112 reverse warning system), it uses Cell Broadcast technology to send mass alerts to every mobile device connected to antennas in a specific geographic area.

• Why it overrides silent mode: The alert is designed to wake you up or grab your attention during life-threatening emergencies.
• What it means: It is strictly used for major emergencies, such as chemical risks, volcanic activity, or, in this case, extreme weather phenomena with a high risk to the population.

When you receive this alert, you must read the accompanying text carefully. It usually advises you to stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel.

What “Red Alert” Means for Málaga

The State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) uses a color-coded system. A Red Alert is the highest level of warning. It does not simply mean “heavy rain”; it implies extreme risk.

Under a Red Alert:
* The weather phenomena are of exceptional intensity.
* There is a very high level of risk for the population.
* Normal activities should be suspended.

According to local reports from Diario Sur, the situation has already escalated significantly. The emergency services have reported over a hundred incidents throughout the night and early morning. These include precautionary evacuations, rescues of people trapped in vehicles, and landslides in hilly areas.

Current Situation and Areas Affects

The heavy rainfall is currently battering the capital and surrounding metropolitan areas. The volume of water falling in short periods has overwhelmed drainage systems in several neighborhoods, leading to flash flooding on roads.

Updates from Diario Sur indicate that emergency teams are working at full capacity to manage the fallout. The primary concern is not just the falling rain, but the accumulation of water from higher grounds moving toward the coast.

Essential Safety Guidelines

If you are an expat or visitor unfamiliar with Málaga’s geography, please take these warnings seriously. The dry riverbeds (arroyos) that look harmless in summer can become raging torrents in minutes.

1. Do Not Drive: Unless it is a life-or-death emergency, keep your car parked. Many of the reported rescues today have been drivers trapped in flooded underpasses or low-lying roads.
2. Stay Away from Riverbanks: Avoid the Guadalmedina and Guadalhorce river areas, as well as any smaller streams.
3. Stay Indoors: The safest place is inside a sturdy building, preferably on an upper floor if you are in a flood-prone zone.
4. Follow Official Sources: monitor official channels like 112 Andalucía or AEMET for the latest updates.

Stay Safe

It can be frightening to see the weather turn so aggressive so quickly, especially when accompanied by sirens and emergency alerts. However, these systems are in place to protect us. The best thing we can do right now is to stay home, keep our phones charged, and check on neighbors who might need assistance.

Stay dry and stay safe, Málaga.