Storm Leonardo Causes Flooding and Evacuations in Spain and Portugal
Storm Leonardo brought torrential rain and flooding to Spain and Portugal on Wednesday, February 5, 2026, forcing thousands to evacuate and causing widespread disruption. In Andalusia, Spain, approximately 4,000 people were evacuated as rivers burst their banks, flooding streets and suspending rail and road links, according to Euronews. Portugal also faced severe flooding, resulting in one death and the evacuation of hundreds.
The storm dumped over 600 liters of water per square meter in Grazalema, Spain, within a 36-hour period, according to AEMET, the state meteorological agency. Video footage showed water rushing through the village of Grazalema in Cadiz, turning streets into rivers. Police in Cadiz waded through waist-deep water to rescue people trapped in an abandoned building. Civil Guard officers were searching for a woman missing near Malaga, believed to have fallen into a swollen river.
Portugal was also heavily impacted by Storm Leonardo. Euronews reported that a man in his 60s died near Serpa after his car was swept away in floodwater. Around 200 people were evacuated on Wednesday. The main avenue of Alcácer do Sal was covered in waist-deep water after the Sado River overflowed, despite the presence of sandbags outside shops. Since Sunday, emergency teams have responded to over 3,300 incidents, including floods, fallen trees, and landslides. The alert level remains elevated as forecasters warned of another storm approaching.
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