KEY POINTS
- Severe flooding from Storm Leonardo forced more than 100,000 people to flee their homes in Morocco.
- Southern Spain recorded a year’s worth of rainfall in just days, leading to red weather alerts.
- Continued rain and saturated ground have increased the risk of further landslides and fatalities.
Storm Leonardo is currently battering the Iberian Peninsula and Northern Africa. This slow-moving weather system has caused widespread destruction since Tuesday. Torrential rain and fierce winds continue to impact the region. Emergency services remain on high alert as conditions worsen.
In southern Spain, the situation is particularly critical. The town of Grazalema received over 700mm of rain recently. This amount equals the typical annual average for the country. Such intense rainfall has overwhelmed local infrastructure and drainage systems.
Spanish authorities issued the highest red alerts for Cádiz and Málaga. These provinces saw 150mm of rain in only 12 hours. This deluge has turned streets into rivers and trapped residents. Rescue teams are working tirelessly to reach affected areas.
The human cost of the storm is rising. Over 3,500 people have been evacuated across Andalucía. Schools and roads are currently closed to ensure public safety. Tragically, search teams are looking for a young girl swept away by a river.
Portugal is also facing a severe crisis. The country was already reeling from a previous deadly storm. Leonardo has brought fresh flooding and dangerous landslides. Over 200 people have had to leave their homes for safety.
One death was reported in the Alentejo region on Wednesday. A man died after floodwaters washed his car away. The saturated soil makes the landscape very unstable. Falling trees and debris have blocked many essential transport routes.
The storm’s impact has reached Northern Africa with devastating force. Flash floods in Morocco have caused a humanitarian emergency. Rivers and reservoirs are overflowing across the Tanger-Tetouan-Al Hoceima region.
More than 100,000 people in Morocco have evacuated so far. The city of Ksar El-Kebir is among the hardest-hit locations. Entire neighborhoods are submerged under water. Local authorities are struggling to provide enough shelter for the displaced.
Meteorologists blame an unusual jet stream for this extreme weather. The storm intensified after merging with a tropical moisture plume. This “atmospheric river” provides a constant supply of heavy rain. The system is currently stalled over the region.
Forecasters expect Leonardo to linger near Iberia into next week. Parts of Portugal may see another 250mm of rain soon. Because the ground is already soaked, more flooding is likely. Residents are urged to follow all official safety warnings.
