After a long, dry summer, autumn on the Costa del Sol can arrive with a bang. Between September and November, the region often sees its first heavy rains of the year, and occasionally intense storm systems known locally as DANA (or gota fría) that can drop a month’s worth of rain in a few hours.

For residents, it’s an inconvenience. For owners who are hundreds or thousands of kilometres away, it’s a worry: a blocked drain or a loose roof tile can turn into water damage that nobody notices for weeks.

The good news is that most storm damage is preventable, and almost all of it is easier to deal with when it’s caught early.

Why autumn storms hit empty homes harder

An occupied home has someone who notices the water coming under the terrace door and moves things out of the way. An empty home doesn’t. In a closed property:

Water from a blocked terrace drain can pool and seep indoors
A small roof leak can soak insulation and ceilings unnoticed
A storm can trip the electricity, switching off the fridge, freezer or dehumidifier
Damp left untreated can turn into mould within a couple of weeks (see our guide: Damp and Mold in Your Costa del Sol Property)

The damage itself is often minor at first. What makes it expensive is the time it goes unnoticed.

Before the season: a preparation checklist

The best time to prepare is before the first rains, and if they’ve already started, the next dry spell.

Outside

☐ Clear gutters, downpipes and terrace drains. Dust and leaves from the dry summer block them easily.
☐ Check roof tiles and flat-roof waterproofing, especially around chimneys and solar panels.
☐ Secure or store terrace furniture, parasols, plant pots and awnings.
☐ Trim branches close to the house or over the pool.

Inside

☐ Check window and terrace-door seals.
☐ Lift valuables, rugs and electronics off the floor in ground-floor rooms.
☐ Make sure your electrical panel’s safety switches work, and label them.
☐ Decide what stays on (fridge, alarm, dehumidifier) and what can be switched off.

Paperwork

☐ Check that your home insurance is up to date and what it covers.
☐ Take dated photos of the property’s condition: they make any future claim much easier.

In Spain, damage from extraordinary events such as floods is generally covered by the Consorcio de Compensación de Seguros, a public body, provided the property has a valid insurance policy. Another reason to keep your policy current.

During a weather alert

Spain’s met office, AEMET, issues colour-coded warnings: yellow, orange and red. Spain also has an emergency mobile alert system, ES-Alert, which sends messages to phones in the affected area. When an orange or red warning is issued for your area:

Make sure someone local can reach the property if needed
Check your alarm and any remote sensors (water, power) if you have them
Don’t ask anyone to visit during the storm itself. Safety first. The visit comes afterwards.

After the storm: what to check

A visit within a day or two of heavy rain is the single most useful thing you can do. The checklist:

☐ Signs of water inside: floors, ceilings, under windows and terrace doors
☐ Water pooling on terraces, flat roofs or around the foundations
☐ Electricity: has anything tripped? Are the fridge and freezer still running?
☐ Roof tiles, gutters and outdoor fittings
☐ Damp smells or new marks on walls in the following days

If there is damage, photograph everything before cleaning up, and report it to your insurer as soon as possible.

How we can help

This is exactly what property supervision is for. Our team prepares homes before the rainy season and checks them after storm warnings, so small problems get fixed before they become big ones. You get a report with photos, wherever you are. If your property will be empty this autumn, get in touch.