Panic as tourist hotspot in Spain hit by mass evacuations | World | News
A holiday destination in Spain has been subject to mass evacuations due to flood warnings triggered by Storm Leonardo. Spanish weather agency AEMET warned of rainfall exceeding 200 to 250 mm in 24 hours in the Ronda mountain range near Malaga on Wednesday (February 4), as forecasters warned of “extraordinarily dangerous” rainfall.
People living near rivers in Navares y Tejares, Llano de la Cruz and La Indiana abandoned their homes. They were offered emergency accommodation, according to the local council. Storm Leonardo putting pressure on Portugal and SpainSome experts say Spaniards could experience the wettest winter since 2020.
AEMET said snowfall would affect mountain ranges in the region, as well as parts of Castile and Leon and the central peninsula.
The meteorological agency warned that very strong winds were expected in the southwestern part of the peninsula late today (February 3), extending to large parts of Andalusia on Wednesday, and winds of up to 100 km per hour were expected in the Strait of Gibraltar.
AEMET has issued a red alert in Grazalema, Cadiz province, while the rest of the Costa del Sol is on orange alert due to heavy rain, high winds and dangerous seas. Olive Press.
Rain will continue Thursday as Atlantic fronts link up with Storm Leonardo, with higher ground likely seeing the largest amounts.
Storm Leonardo is expected to affect mainland Portugal from Tuesday to Saturday, the Portuguese Marine and Atmospheric Institute (IPMA) said on Monday.
Portugal and Spain were under the influence of Storm Kristin, which unleashed winds exceeding 200 km per hour.
Six people lost their lives while houses, factories and infrastructures were destroyed due to the storm in the central part of Portugal on January 28.
Industrial hub Leiria was among the worst-hit areas of Portugal, with homes, roads, schools and railway lines hit.
Ahead of Storm Leonardo, the Portuguese National Republican Guard issued detailed advice on how to prepare for an emergency.
People were advised to make survival kits that included drinking water, three days’ worth of non-perishable food, battery-powered radios, flashlights, power banks and first aid supplies.
Forecasters in Portugal said a frontal system associated with Storm Leonardo would approach southern Portugal’s Baixo Alentejo and Algarve regions on Tuesday before spreading across the country on Wednesday.
