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Spain Flooding Emergency: Hozgarganta River Levels Rising in Jimena de la Frontera, Andalusia

Current monitoring shows water levels at the Hozgarganta River significantly overtopping banks at the Puente de la Pasada de Alcalá as of January 28, 2026. While the heavy rainfall from Storm Joseph begins to transition, the sudden surge has trapped residents in the low-lying Campo de Gibraltar region, leaving many to wonder if the crest has truly passed or if the merging of nearby Atlantic fronts will trigger a second wave of flooding
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Table of Contents

At a Glance

The Hozgarganta River in Andalusia, Spain, is currently experiencing severe flooding, with a Red Alert status and a Level 1 Municipal Emergency Plan active in Jimena de la Frontera.

Status & Severity

Water levels have reached a dangerous 4.24 meters, surpassing historical safety maximums in several stretches. With Storm Joseph merging with a second Atlantic front, crest predictions remain high as the river basin struggles to process over 180mm of rainfall recorded in recent hours.

Why does the Hozgarganta flood so differently than other European rivers? Explore The River Mixer’s Guide to Human-Driven Flooding: How Engineering and Urban Planning Shape Our Rivers to understand how the absence of dams creates unique risks for Jimena de la Frontera.

Affected Communities & Regions

  • Jimena de la Frontera (Cádiz): 11 residents evacuated as the river overtopped its primary banks.

  • San Roque: Residents near the Guadiaro confluence remain on high alert for secondary flooding.

  • Algeciras: Civil Protection monitoring urban runoff and coastal river discharge.

  • Los Barrios: Emergency pumping stations active to prevent rural floodplain inundation.

  • Campo de Gibraltar: Regional travel disruptions as multiple smaller tributaries reach capacity.

Local Landmarks & Interest

  • Puente de la Pasada de Alcalá: The historic bridge remains closed to all traffic due to submerged decking and structural debris risk.

  • A-405 Road: Major sections of this critical Andalusia transit route are currently impassable between Jimena and San Roque.

  • Guadiaro-Hozgarganta Confluence: A key area of concern where rising levels from both rivers are threatening adjacent agricultural land.

Data Sources & Verification

Information compiled from the State Meteorological Agency (AEMET), the Cádiz Province Firefighters Consortium, and verified on-the-ground visual reports from Jimena de la Frontera municipal authorities.

Historical Comparison

This event is currently exceeding the peak levels of the March 2018 floods and is being compared to the devastating Storm Francis event of January 6, 2026. Check our archives for more Spain river data and Andalusia hydrology reports.

Regional Context

The Hozgarganta is the primary tributary of the Guadiaro River and sits within the Los Alcornocales Natural Park. This region is characterized by “canutos”—deep, humid sandstone gorges that funnel rainwater rapidly from the high Sierra del Aljibe. Unlike most Spanish rivers, the Hozgarganta has no reservoirs to control its flow, making it prone to sudden, violent “flash” rises during intense Atlantic storms.

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Editor's note

This blog post uses publicly available information from various sources, synthesized with the help of AI, as a starting point for exploring the world of rivers. Our editors review the content for accuracy, though we encourage readers to verify information intended for primary source use. We strive to use public domain, licensed, or AI-generated images; due to the nature of online sharing, individual image sources are generally not credited. Please contact us regarding any copyright concerns.

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