Joe Duggan (Reporter)
A CADIZ region has been declared a ‘catastrophe zone’ after two days of heavy rain.
Hundreds of residents around Vejer de la Frontera had experienced ‘moments of genuine panic’ following the weekend rain according to local mayor Jose Ortiz with over 100 calls to emergency services.
Roads were submerged as water levels rose to a metre and a half high with Vejer, Conil and part of Chiclana hardest hit.
Emergency services rescued three people, including a child, from a building near Zahar.
Frightened residents were forced into upper floor rooms to escape the flooding as homes suffered serious damage.
“We have used the hotel in the town to accommodate those affected,” said Ortiz.
“Their are families that have lost everything.”
We live near Vejer and had 100 mm of rain in 5 days followed by 130 mm in 48 hours. There is a lot of damage from overflowing rivers and landslides. Local have never seen it so bad.