Two weeks after its worst floods in a generation killed over 200 people, Spain halted schools and evacuated homes on Wednesday due to severe rainfall.

The northeastern Catalonia area and the southern province of Malaga were placed on the highest level red alert by the national meteorological authority AEMET due to heavy rains that are predicted to continue until Friday.

Under a red alert, it predicts that up to 180 millimetres (7 inches) of rain may fall there in only 12 hours.

In the flood-affected eastern Valencia area, less intense rainfall is also anticipated; nevertheless, local officials cautioned that they may not be able to handle the situation due to mud-clogged sewage systems.

In addition to destroying infrastructure, gutting buildings, and submerging fields, the storm on October 29 claimed 223 lives, primarily in the Valencia area. It is anticipated that the total amount would reach tens of billions of euros.

Carlos Molto, a resident of Valencia city’s Picanya area, told local television station A Punt that there was nothing left to lose.

Malaga evacuations: According to the local daily Las Provincias, following a massive cleanup operation, parts of the town of Paiporta, one of the most severely affected areas, were once again inundated.

Many had tried to safeguard their homes from new water by barricading them with sandbags or boards.

In Valencia, the southern portion of Andalusia and Catalonia, the rain also caused several schools and colleges to close.

Due to the potential of flooding, Malaga city council said that it has ordered the evacuation of homes situated along the banks of the nearby Campanillas River.

Additionally, Spain and Poland’s Billie Jean King Cup tennis finals in the southern city were delayed Wednesday.

People were cautioned by emergency messages sent to mobile phones by the regional administrations of Catalonia and Andalusia.

The effectiveness of the Valencia region’s alarm system after the October rains has been questioned by some, as it in several cases only reached people’ phones after floodwaters had already begun to surge through cities.

Mass demonstrations on Saturday were sparked by outrage at the government for what was seen as their poor handling of the situation both before and after the floods. The biggest, held in Valencia, attracted 130,000 visitors.