Storm Leonardo Lashes Iberian Peninsula, Prompting Election Postponement Calls
Portugal's far-right Chega party has called for the postponement of the country's presidential election as Storm Leonardo continues to batter the Iberian peninsula, causing significant disruption and tragedy. The Portuguese government has extended a state of calamity across 69 municipalities until mid-February in response to the severe weather conditions.
Casualties and Evacuations Mount Across Spain and Portugal
The storm has resulted in at least one fatality in Portugal, while a young girl remains missing in the southern Spanish region of Andalucía. This marks the latest in a series of deadly storms to impact both nations in recent weeks, claiming several lives. In Andalucía alone, more than 7,000 individuals have been forced to evacuate their homes.
Authorities evacuated residential areas near the Guadalquivir River in Córdoba overnight due to dramatically rising water levels. Approximately 1,500 residents were ordered to leave Grazalema, a mountain village popular with hikers, as water infiltrated house walls and cascaded down steep cobbled streets.
Geological Risks and Agricultural Losses
Andalucía's regional president, Juan Manuel Moreno, warned that full aquifers in the Grazalema mountains could provoke landslides from pent-up pressure, potentially causing dramatic damage to infrastructure. Geologists are currently assessing the situation to determine when residents can safely return.
The heavy rains are severely impacting the olive harvest, with Francisco Elvira of the Coag farmers' association in Jaén province estimating losses at €200 million (£174 million) so far.
Weather Alerts and Continued Threats
Spain's state meteorological office, Aemet, issued orange weather alerts for coastal areas of Galicia and yellow alerts for other northern, southern, and eastern coastal regions, including the Balearic islands. Spokesperson Rubén del Campo forecasted that Storm Marta would bring further heavy rain and strong winds on Saturday, followed by additional weather fronts with significant rainfall.
Flooding and Infrastructure Damage
In Portugal, the River Douro overflowed in Porto, causing minor flooding at riverside cafe terraces. Large parts of Alcácer do Sal remained semi-submerged for a third day near the River Sado. Commander Mário Silvestre of Portugal's ANEPC civil protection service warned that six rivers, including the Tagus, are at risk of significant flooding, with Portugal facing its worst flood threat along the Tagus in nearly three decades.
Election Controversy and Climate Context
The damage and uncertainty have led to calls to postpone Sunday's second round of Portugal's presidential election. André Ventura, leader of Chega, argued for a one-week delay to ensure equality among voters. However, the national electoral authority stated the vote would proceed as scheduled, noting that weather alerts alone are insufficient reason for postponement.
Scientists attribute the increasing length, intensity, and frequency of such extreme weather events to human-driven climate breakdown, highlighting the floods and heatwaves that have recently struck both countries.
