40cm of Rain in 24 Hours: Storm Leonardo Paralyzes Spain and Portugal

Storm Leonardo has unleashed a wave of destruction across the Iberian Peninsula, leaving at least one person dead and forcing the evacuation of thousands. Torrential rains have pushed rivers and reservoirs to critical levels, leading to the widespread closure of schools and the cancellation of major rail services in both Spain and Portugal.

Casualties and Unprecedented Rainfall In Portugal, the National Authority for Civil Protection confirmed the death of a man in his 60s. His body was discovered in his vehicle after being swept away by floodwaters near a dam in the municipality of Serpa.

Across the border in Spain, the weather agency AEMET reported extraordinary rainfall levels. In Grazalema, Andalusia, more than 40 cm of rain fell within just 24 hours—a volume equivalent to the average annual rainfall for the city of Madrid. This deluge comes just one week after Storm Christine claimed six lives and left thousands without power, leaving the region's soil unable to absorb further moisture.

Emergency Mobilization and Evacuations The Spanish government has deployed over 1,200 emergency responders and 400 military personnel to assist the hardest-hit areas. In Andalusia alone, at least 3,500 people have been evacuated from their homes. Emergency aircraft and helicopters are currently patrolling critical zones to monitor for landslides and further flooding.

"The situation has worsened because the ground is saturated," said Maria Paz Fernandez, the Mayor of Ronda, noting numerous landslides in surrounding rural districts.

Portugal Declares State of Emergency Portuguese authorities have declared a state of emergency and disaster on Friday due to the high risk of river flooding. In Alcácer do Sal, roughly 90 km from Lisbon, the Sado River has already submerged large residential areas.

The Portuguese military has deployed 1,600 personnel, including specialized naval units equipped with 35 rubber boats, to conduct rescue operations. Meanwhile, infrastructure damage remains severe; approximately 134,000 homes are currently without electricity, with 95,000 of those located in the Leiria region.

As AEMET and Portuguese civil protection services warn of continued rising water levels over the coming days, residents across the peninsula have been advised to remain indoors and avoid all non-essential travel.