In an extreme weather event reflecting the growing environmental challenges facing the European continent, the Iberian Peninsula had barely recovered from the devastating effects of Storm Leonardo when another violent storm, Storm Marta, struck. This storm swept through Spain and Portugal on Saturday, bringing torrential rain and fierce winds, and its effects extended as far as Morocco, prompting authorities to be on high alert.
Risks of soil saturation and flooding
These successive weather developments are further complicating the situation on the ground, as authorities in both countries fear the soil will be unable to absorb any more water. Meteorologists indicate that the ground has reached full saturation after the continuous heavy rains from the previous storm, significantly increasing the likelihood of flash floods and dangerous landslides, particularly in mountainous areas and on slopes.
The Iberian Peninsula at the heart of climate change
Spain and Portugal are among the European regions most affected by climate change. After years of record-breaking heat waves and droughts that devastated crops and water levels, the region is now experiencing a dramatic shift towards more frequent and intense rainfall and storms. This volatile weather pattern, combining severe droughts with devastating floods, is putting the infrastructure of both countries to unprecedented and severe tests.
State of emergency and disruption of daily life
In Spain, the national weather agency issued an orange alert for much of the south, particularly in the Andalusia region, as well as the northwest of the country. Heavy rains caused widespread flooding and flash floods, forcing the evacuation of more than 10,000 people from their homes. Authorities also confirmed the suspension of train services and the closure of several major roads as a precaution, urging residents to limit their travel.
Human and political losses
These storms have not been without casualties. The previous storm, "Leonardo," left several dead, including a woman swept away by a river in Andalusia and another person killed in a car accident caused by hail. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez expressed his shock at the extent of the damage and the continued rainfall, predicting "difficult days" ahead.
Across the border, Portugal is facing an equally perilous situation, as Storm Marta coincided with the second round of its presidential election. The country has recorded its second wettest January since 2000, forcing dams to release massive amounts of water—equivalent to the country's annual consumption—in just three days to prevent their collapse, amid warnings of raging seas and waves reaching up to 13 meters.
