Storm Leonardo has battered Portugal and Spain, causing at least two deaths and forcing the evacuation of more than 7,000 people. The storm has led Portugal's far-right Chega party to call for postponement of the second round of the presidential election, but the national electoral authority has confirmed the vote will proceed as scheduled.
In Portugal, a state of calamity has been declared in 69 municipalities and extended until mid-February. One man died in Portugal, while in Spain the body of a woman swept away by a river in Andalucía was found on Friday. The storm is the latest in a series of deadly storms to hit the region.
In Andalucía, more than 7,000 people have been evacuated, including residential areas near the Guadalquivir River in Córdoba. About 1,500 residents were ordered to leave the mountain village of Grazalema due to water seepage and risk of landslides. Regional president Juan Manuel Moreno warned of potential dramatic consequences if aquifers cause holes or ditches under houses or streets.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez visited a coordination post in Cádiz province, warning of 'complicated days' ahead and urging caution. He said 10,000 emergency personnel have been deployed. The heavy rains have also affected the olive harvest, with losses estimated at €200 million (£174 million) in Jaén province alone.
Spain's state meteorological office issued orange and yellow alerts for several regions. Storm Marta is expected to bring further heavy rain and strong winds on Saturday. In Portugal, the River Douro overflowed in Porto, and parts of Alcácer do Sal remained submerged. The commander of Portugal's civil protection service said six rivers, including the Tagus, face significant flood risk, the worst in nearly three decades.
Despite calls from Chega leader André Ventura to delay the election by a week for equality, the national electoral authority ruled that the state of emergency and weather alerts are not sufficient reasons to postpone voting. Scientists attribute the increase in extreme weather events like these to human-driven climate breakdown.
