Residents and emergency crews in Alcácer do Sal, Portugal, have been working tirelessly to rescue trapped pets and people after the Sado River overflowed its banks, as Storm Leonardo continues to wreak havoc across the Iberian peninsula. This dramatic scene underscores the severe impact of the ongoing extreme weather, which has led to widespread disruption and tragedy.
Widespread Devastation and Emergency Response
Heavy rains and powerful winds have battered parts of Spain and Portugal throughout the week, resulting in at least one fatality and the forced evacuation of over 7,000 individuals. The Portuguese government has extended a state of calamity in 69 municipalities until mid-February, highlighting the prolonged nature of this crisis. In Spain, the southern region of Andalucía has been particularly hard-hit, with a young girl reported missing and authorities evacuating residential areas near the Guadalquivir River in Córdoba due to dangerously rising water levels.
Local Impacts and Agricultural Losses
In Grazalema, a mountain village popular with hikers, approximately 1,500 residents have been ordered to leave their homes as water seeped through walls and cascaded down steep cobbled streets. Juan Manuel Moreno, Andalucía's regional president, warned that full aquifers in the Grazalema mountains could provoke landslides, posing a significant threat to infrastructure. Geologists are currently assessing the situation to determine when it will be safe for residents to return.
The agricultural sector has also suffered severe losses, with Francisco Elvira of the Coag farmers' association in Jaén province estimating damages at €200 million (£174 million) due to the disruption of the olive harvest. Spain's state meteorological office, Aemet, has issued orange and yellow weather alerts for various coastal regions, including Galicia and the Balearic islands, with further heavy rain expected from Storm Marta over the weekend.
Political Fallout and Election Uncertainty
The chaos caused by Storm Leonardo has sparked calls to postpone Portugal's second-round presidential election, scheduled for Sunday. André Ventura, leader of the far-right Chega party, has argued for a one-week delay, citing concerns about electoral equality amid the emergency. However, the national electoral authority has stated that the vote will proceed as planned, asserting that weather alerts alone do not justify postponement.
Infrastructure and Environmental Concerns
In Portugal, the River Douro overflowed in Porto, causing minor flooding at riverside cafes, while large parts of Alcácer do Sal remain semi-submerged. Mario Silvestre, commander of Portugal's ANEPC civil protection service, noted that six rivers, including the Tagus, are at risk of significant flooding, with the Tagus facing its worst flood threat in nearly three decades. Scientists attribute the increasing intensity and frequency of such extreme weather events to human-driven climate breakdown, a trend that has seen both countries endure floods and heatwaves in recent years.
As emergency services continue their efforts and political debates unfold, the resilience of communities in Portugal and Spain is being tested by this relentless storm, with long-term implications for disaster preparedness and environmental policy.
