Homes in Alhaurin and Cartama on the Costa del Sol were flooded last week in the torrential rains.People had to be rescued by boat and helicopter.Many of the houses had been built illegally on flood plains and were the worst affected.This land had been classified as non-building land.The town hall in Alhaurin had already taken proceedings against 12 homes in this zone. The proceedings have been ongoing for a nuber of years and the town hall has been awaiting demolition proceedings to be agreed.

In Cartama it is understood that here are proceedings in place against 700 homes built in flood zones.There are another 50 in Pizarra and Alora.Despite the illegality of these homes the town hall gave everyone the assistance that they required to get them to safety.It is estimated that there was at least 2 million euros worth of damage done during the storms.

Animals were badly affected by the flooding and many horses and other animals drowned.Twelve horses died in Alhaurin at a farm which had already been reported for keeping animals in poor conditions.It was also reported that dogs,cats,chickens and goats were drowned at the same farm.The bodies remained unattended for a week before the local authorities removed them.