Spain Portugal storms continued to affect the Iberian Peninsula on Saturday, as fresh torrential rain and violent weather hit both countries days after deadly floods caused by Storm Leonardo. Authorities in Madrid and Lisbon issued new warnings, citing high risks of flooding, landslides, and transport disruption.
The renewed storms have compounded damage from earlier weather systems, forcing evacuations, closing roads and rail lines, and prompting emergency measures in several regions. Officials linked the scale of the impact to increasingly extreme weather patterns affecting southern Europe.
Storm Marta triggers alerts and election delays in Portugal
The latest weather system, named Storm Marta, led Portugal to deploy more than 26,500 rescuers nationwide. Authorities said three municipalities postponed a presidential vote scheduled for Sunday by one week due to safety concerns.
Prime Minister Luis Montenegro described 2026 as a particularly unusual year marked by exceptionally violent climatic conditions. Civil protection officials warned of strong winds reaching up to 110 kilometres per hour, flash floods, and landslides, especially after the storm made landfall along the coast.
Eight of Portugal’s 18 mainland districts were placed on orange alert, while the entire coastline faced warnings over heavy seas, with waves expected to reach up to 13 metres. River basins, particularly the Tagus near Lisbon and the Sado further south, remained under severe pressure.
Flood risks persist despite receding waters
Authorities said the flood risk from the Tagus River in the Santarem region stayed at its highest level. In Alcacer do Sal, officials reported that waters from the Sado River had receded to the riverbanks, though monitoring continued.
Portugal was already struggling with the aftermath of Storm Kristin, which killed five people and left tens of thousands without electricity, before Storm Leonardo struck earlier this week. One person was killed during Leonardo, and about 1,100 people were evacuated nationwide.
According to the Portuguese Environment Agency, successive depressions forced dams to release a volume of water equivalent to the country’s annual consumption in just three days.
Andalusia among hardest-hit regions in Spain
In Spain, large parts of the south, particularly Andalusia, were placed on orange alert, along with the northwestern regions. Authorities reported heavy rainfall, violent storms, and saturated rivers following days of intense downpours.
Andalusian regional president Juan Manuel Moreno said the situation was complex, with dozens of roads cut, rail traffic largely suspended, and more than 11,000 people evacuated. He added that damage to infrastructure and agriculture could exceed 500 million euros, mainly due to destroyed roads and farmland.
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez held a crisis meeting on Saturday, a day after visiting flood-hit areas near Cadiz. He warned residents that difficult days lay ahead as forecasts remained dangerous.
Evacuations, closures, and local impact
Residents evacuated from Grazalema, one of the worst-affected towns, were sheltered in a gymnasium in Ronda. Local residents said they feared prolonged disruption, especially for families with children.
Sevilla Football Club announced the postponement of its home match against Girona following a decision by authorities to ensure public safety.
Wider regional impact and climate context
Several landslides were reported in Portugal without casualties, while hundreds of kilometres south, Morocco was also hit by violent storms that displaced around 150,000 people in the northwest of the country.
Scientists say human-driven climate change is increasing the intensity, frequency, and duration of extreme weather events, including floods and heatwaves. The Iberian Peninsula is considered one of Europe’s most exposed regions to these shifts.
Conclusion:
As Storm Marta moves north and is expected to weaken by the end of the day, authorities in Spain and Portugal remain on high alert. Emergency services continue monitoring rivers, infrastructure, and vulnerable communities amid warnings that further rainfall could quickly worsen conditions.
