Storm Leonardo hits Spain and Portugal, one dead
In Spain, red alerts were issued in parts of the southern Andalusia region due to heavy rain, strong winds and flooding. Schools were closed, roads shut down and train services largely suspended. More than 3,000 people were evacuated in the provinces of Cadiz, Malaga and Jaen.
Emergency services responded to more than 1,300 incidents since the storm began, while officials warned that rainfall could exceed 200 liters per square meter in some areas. Red alerts were declared for six rivers and orange alerts for 18 others, with the Guadiaro River near Malaga overflowing.
More than 30 roads were closed due to flooding, landslides and snow accumulation, while power outages were reported in rural areas. Ports, tourist sites and public facilities in Cadiz and around the Strait of Gibraltar were also closed.
Leonardo is the latest in a series of storms to hit Spain and Portugal this year. Scientists say human-induced climate change is intensifying extreme weather events. Last week, severe weather in Portugal left five people dead and hundreds injured.
