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Storm Leonardo continued to wreak havoc across the Iberian Peninsula on Thursday, claiming one life in Portugal and leaving a young girl missing in Spain as floodwaters rose dramatically across the region.
The latest fatality occurred Wednesday night when a man in southern Portugal died after his vehicle was overwhelmed by rapidly rising floodwaters, according to local media reports. His death adds to the growing toll from a series of powerful storms that have battered the region in recent weeks.
In Spain’s Malaga province, rescue teams continued their desperate search for a young girl who was swept away by the swollen Turvilla river on Wednesday. Officials reported that the child fell into the treacherous waters while attempting to save her dog as water levels surged during the storm.
The historic city of Alcacer do Sal, located about 90 kilometers (56 miles) south of Lisbon, faced particular devastation as the Sado River breached its banks. Downtown areas were submerged under floodwaters that reached heights of two meters (approximately seven feet) in some locations, forcing residents to evacuate and businesses to close.
Spain’s southern Andalusia region has been especially hard-hit, with authorities ordering the evacuation of nearly 4,000 people from their homes as a precautionary measure. Dozens of roads throughout the region remain impassable due to flooding and landslides, severely disrupting transportation networks and complicating rescue efforts.
While Spain’s national weather agency AEMET has downgraded the highest alert level for southern Spain, meteorologists warned that the region’s ordeal is far from over. Another storm system is forecast to arrive over the weekend, potentially bringing additional rainfall to already saturated ground and swollen waterways.
“We’re facing an unprecedented sequence of powerful storm systems,” said Miguel Ángel López, a climatologist at the University of Seville. “The ground is completely saturated, meaning even moderate rainfall could trigger additional flooding in vulnerable areas.”
Storm Leonardo is the latest in a series of intense weather systems to batter the Iberian Peninsula this winter. In late January, a powerful storm left a path of destruction across Portugal, resulting in multiple fatalities and widespread property damage. The succession of storms has strained emergency resources and tested infrastructure throughout the region.
Portugal’s weather service IPMA warned that several regions across the country should prepare for additional heavy rainfall in the coming days, particularly in central and southern areas where the ground is already saturated. Authorities have urged residents in flood-prone areas to remain vigilant and follow evacuation orders without delay.
The intensification of winter storms in the region has raised concerns among climate scientists, who point to warming Mediterranean waters as a contributing factor to the increased frequency and severity of these weather events.
“What we’re witnessing is consistent with climate change projections for the Mediterranean basin,” explained Elena Sánchez, a researcher at Spain’s Center for Environmental Studies. “Warmer sea temperatures provide more energy for these storm systems, resulting in more intense rainfall over shorter periods.”
Local governments across both countries have mobilized emergency response teams and opened temporary shelters for displaced residents. In Andalusia, schools remained closed for a second consecutive day as authorities assessed damage to infrastructure and monitored river levels.
As the region braces for the potential arrival of yet another storm system this weekend, officials have emphasized the importance of public cooperation with safety measures and evacuation orders to prevent further loss of life.
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10 Comments
While the loss of life is tragic, I’m glad the reports indicate only one confirmed fatality so far. The search for the missing girl is still ongoing, and I hope she is found safe. Extreme weather events like this are becoming more common, and we need to find ways to better protect people and infrastructure.
Yes, it’s important to hope for the best outcome in the search for the missing girl. Disasters like this highlight the urgent need for improved disaster preparedness and climate adaptation measures to keep communities safe.
Extreme weather events like Storm Leonardo are sadly becoming more frequent due to climate change. My condolences to the victims and their families. It’s crucial that policymakers take bold steps to mitigate climate risks and protect vulnerable communities. What more can be done to improve disaster preparedness in regions like this?
That’s a great question. Improving early warning systems, investing in flood defenses, and ensuring emergency response capabilities are critical. Governments need to work closely with local communities to understand their unique risks and tailor adaptation strategies accordingly.
Tragic news about the impact of Storm Leonardo in Spain and Portugal. My heart goes out to the families affected by the loss of life and missing persons. Climate change is leading to more extreme weather events that are devastating communities. We need to take urgent action to mitigate and adapt to these threats.
I agree, these extreme weather events are becoming far too common and the human toll is devastating. We must do more to address the underlying causes of climate change.
The flooding in Alcacer do Sal sounds absolutely devastating, with waters reaching 7 feet deep in some areas. I hope the rescue efforts are able to locate the missing girl and that the region can recover from this disaster. Climate resilience needs to be a top priority for governments.
You’re right, the flooding levels in Alcacer do Sal are shocking. Building climate resilience in vulnerable communities has to be a major focus going forward. Thoughts are with all those affected by this storm.
The flooding in southern Spain and Portugal seems to be yet another consequence of the climate crisis. My condolences to the family of the man who lost his life, and I sincerely hope the missing girl is found. We need to see much more concerted global action to address the root causes of these extreme weather events.
I agree completely. Urgent, coordinated action on climate change is the only way to prevent more tragedies like this in the future. Governments and communities must prioritize resilience and adaptation measures.