Storm Leonardo Triggers 3,000+ Evacuations in Southern Spain

Severe weather warnings have prompted the evacuation of more than 3,000 people in southern Spain as Storm Leonardo brings intense rainfall and flood risks to the Iberian Peninsula, with authorities in Spain and Portugal urging residents to avoid nonessential travel.

The Spanish State Meteorological Agency, AEMET, issued its highest-level red alerts for parts of Andalusia on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, forecasting accumulations of up to 150 liters per square meter in 12 hours and exceeding 200 liters in 24 hours in inland areas of Malaga, Cadiz, and Jaen provinces. Orange warnings cover broader regions including the Costa del Sol and Axarquia, with expected rainfall between 90 and 100 liters in 12 hours. The storm, the sixth major low-pressure system of the year, has merged with an atmospheric river, intensifying precipitation across southern Spain through mid-February. AEMET spokesman Ruben del Campo noted that the ground remains saturated from recent heavy rains, heightening the danger of flash floods and landslides. "An extraordinary amount of rain is arriving in a region where riverbeds are already carrying a lot of water," he said.

Evacuations began Tuesday evening in...