Storm Leonardo has unleashed severe weather across the Iberian Peninsula, resulting in tragic consequences including one fatality in Portugal and a young girl missing in Spain. The storm brought torrential rain and strong winds on Thursday, exacerbating flooding and prompting widespread evacuations.
Casualties and Ongoing Search Efforts
In Portugal, a man lost his life on Wednesday night after his vehicle was overwhelmed by rapidly rising floodwaters, as reported by local media. Meanwhile, in Spain's Malaga province, emergency services continue to search for a girl who was swept away by the swollen Turvilla river while attempting to rescue her dog.
Widespread Disruption and Evacuations
The impact of Storm Leonardo has been extensive, with nearly 4,000 residents in Spain's Andalusia region forced to evacuate their homes due to the dangerous conditions. Dozens of roads have been closed across affected areas, hampered by flooding and landslides that have made travel hazardous.
Critical Flooding in Portugal
The southern Portuguese city of Alcacer do Sal, located approximately 90 kilometers from Lisbon, has been particularly hard hit. Rising waters from the River Sado have inundated downtown areas, with flood levels reaching up to two meters in some locations. Authorities are battling to control the situation as further heavy rainfall is forecast for several Portuguese regions in the coming days.
Weather Warnings and Future Concerns
Spain's meteorological agency has downgraded the highest alert level in southern Spain, but officials warn that another storm system is expected to arrive over the weekend. This development raises concerns about additional flooding and disruption.
Storm Leonardo represents the latest in a series of severe weather events that have struck Spain and Portugal in recent weeks. A previous storm in late January caused significant destruction in Portugal and resulted in multiple fatalities, according to Portuguese authorities.
The ongoing situation underscores the vulnerability of the Iberian Peninsula to extreme weather patterns and highlights the challenges faced by emergency services in responding to such widespread natural disasters.
