Thousands of residents across southern Spain have been forced to abandon their homes as Storm Leonardo unleashed what forecasters have described as 'extraordinary' rainfall upon the Iberian peninsula. The severe weather system has led to widespread disruption, with schools shut and train services cancelled throughout the affected regions.
Red Alert Issued for Torrential Rainfall
Spain's national weather agency, AEMET, has placed parts of the southern region of Andalusia under its highest red alert for torrential rainfall. Officials have issued stark warnings that Storm Leonardo could trigger dangerous flooding and significant landslides across vulnerable areas.
Rubén del Campo, a spokesman for AEMET, emphasised the severity of the situation, stating that an 'extraordinary amount of rain' was forecast to hit regions where the ground is already saturated from recent downpours. Riverbeds are reportedly carrying large volumes of water, significantly increasing the flood risk.
Widespread Disruption and Emergency Response
Emergency services in Andalusia reported that more than 3,000 residents were evacuated from flood-prone areas on Tuesday as a precautionary measure. By Wednesday, authorities had responded to more than 150 incidents, though substantial damage was initially reported as limited.
Hundreds of soldiers have been deployed to assist rescue services in their efforts. As a safety measure, all schools in Andalusia were closed, with the exception of those in the easternmost province of Almeria.
Dramatic footage from the region shows streets transformed into fast-flowing rivers, with residents wading through deep water as emergency crews battle the rising floods. In one particularly striking image, a car is shown completely submerged, with only its roof visible above the waterline.
Transport Network Paralysed
The state railway company, Renfe, announced the cancellation of almost all suburban, regional and long-distance train services across Andalusia. Compounding the travel chaos, no bus replacement services were possible due to the dangerous state of many roads, several of which have been closed entirely.
Historical Context and Regional Impact
This severe weather event evokes memories of October 2024, when Spain suffered its deadliest floods in decades. That catastrophe claimed more than 230 lives, predominantly in the eastern region of Valencia.
Neighbouring Portugal has also been affected by the severe weather system. Part of the Portuguese coast was placed under an orange alert as Storm Leonardo swept in from the Atlantic Ocean. This comes just a week after severe weather in Portugal resulted in five fatalities.
The Portuguese Civil Protection service told AFP that emergency responders had dealt with almost 200 incidents, including localised flooding, landslides and falling trees. Fortunately, these incidents caused no victims or major damage. The Lisbon region and the southern Algarve were identified as the most affected areas, with rain and wind predicted to reach peak intensity overnight from Wednesday to Thursday.
The Climate Change Connection
Scientists continue to warn that human-driven climate change is making extreme weather events longer, more frequent and more intense. Events like Storm Leonardo provide a stark illustration of these changing patterns and the increasing challenges they pose to communities across Europe.
The situation in southern Spain remains fluid, with authorities monitoring conditions closely and residents in affected areas urged to follow official safety advice and evacuation orders.
