More than 11,000 evacuated as Storm Leonardo batters Spain and Portugal

Storm Leonardo hit Spain and Portugal on Tuesday, forcing more than 11,000 people from their homes, as a man in Portugal died after his car was swept away by floodwaters and a second body was found in Malaga.

Drone footage from Portugal’s Santarém district shows widespread flooding along the Tagus River, after days of heavy rain linked to Storm Leonardo.

Portuguese authorities placed the Tagus River basin on red alert, warning of severe flood risks and ordering rapid evacuations in low-lying riverside areas.

The National Civil Protection Authority said emergency services were activated as water levels surged, with the flow of the Tagus River doubling in recent days.

In southern Portugal, flooding intensified from Wednesday, prompting evacuations and the deployment of semi-rigid rescue boats by the navy, according to local media.

Four additional people were rescued on Thursday, bringing the total number of rescues to 93. Authorities confirmed that a 70-year-old man died on 4 February after his car was swept away near a flooded dam.

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In neighbouring Spain, Storm Leonardo caused extensive damage across Andalusia. Authorities ordered the complete evacuation of the town of Grazalema in Cádiz province after more than 800 litres of rain per square metre fell within a week, overwhelming drainage systems and destabilising infrastructure.

Homes and streets were flooded, while landslides were reported in higher parts of the town. Transport disruption spread across the region, with rail services almost entirely suspended, more than 150 roads closed, and several flights diverted or cancelled at Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport due to strong winds.

Emergency teams are continuing to search for a 35-year-old woman swept away by river currents in Sayalonga, Málaga. More than 4,000 residents across Andalusia have been evacuated as rivers threaten to overflow.

Authorities reported more than 7,000 storm-related incidents in Andalusia since Storm Leonardo began.

Meteorologists warned that heavy rain and strong winds are expected to persist in parts of Spain and Portugal in the coming days, urging residents to follow official safety guidance and avoid unnecessary travel.

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