Storm Leonardo Sparks Europe–North Africa Flood Crisis

Published: 06 February 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online.

Storm Leonardo continues to cause severe disruption across parts of Europe and northern Africa, as emergency teams struggle with flooding, damage, and mass evacuations. The powerful weather system has moved slowly across the region, increasing rainfall totals and intensifying risks for vulnerable communities. Authorities in several countries have issued top-level alerts, while rescue operations remain active in multiple locations. The scale of the Storm Leonardo impact has drawn urgent attention from meteorological agencies and disaster response units across affected zones.

The Iberian peninsula remains one of the worst hit areas, with Spain and Portugal facing relentless rain and dangerous winds. Weather officials confirm that the system has stalled, which has allowed rainfall totals to build rapidly over several days. In southern Spain, the mountain town of Grazalema recorded more than 700 millimetres of rain since midweek. That figure is close to what many areas normally receive over an entire year. Rivers have burst their banks, rural roads have vanished under water, and farmland has turned into temporary lakes.

Regional authorities across Andalucía ordered widespread evacuations as water levels rose near residential zones and transport corridors. Around 3,500 residents have been moved from risk areas into temporary shelters and municipal facilities. Schools closed across several districts, and rail and bus services were suspended due to unsafe conditions. Local officials described the situation as fast changing and highly dangerous, especially near rivers and steep valleys. The human toll remains uncertain as search teams continue to check flooded neighbourhoods and damaged vehicles.

Spain’s national weather agency issued its highest red warning level for parts of Cádiz and Málaga provinces. Forecasters measured around 150 millimetres of rainfall within only twelve hours in some locations. Such rainfall intensity overwhelms drainage systems and increases the speed of surface runoff. Emergency services reported multiple water rescues involving drivers trapped inside vehicles and families stranded in homes. In Málaga province, responders continue searching for a missing girl believed swept away by a swollen river channel during peak flooding.

Portugal is also facing renewed danger while still recovering from a deadly storm system last week. Saturated ground conditions made the country more vulnerable to fresh downpours linked to the same circulation pattern. Floodwaters entered homes, damaged bridges, and triggered landslides in hilly terrain across central and southern regions. Officials confirmed that more than 200 people were evacuated as a precautionary measure. In the Alentejo region, a man died after his car was carried away by fast moving floodwater during night hours.

Meteorologists explain that the unusual behaviour of the current system is linked to large scale atmospheric patterns. A southward shifted jet stream has helped trap the storm over the same general zone for days. At the same time, a long plume of tropical moisture has fed into the circulation. This process, often called an atmospheric river, continuously supplies new rainfall energy into the storm core. Because soils were already wet after weeks of unsettled weather, runoff increased quickly and worsened flood severity.

The continuing Storm Leonardo pattern shows how slow moving systems can produce more damage than faster, more intense storms. Duration often matters more than peak wind speed when it comes to flooding disasters. Hydrologists warn that even moderate additional rainfall could trigger new river surges in southern Spain. Reservoir managers are releasing controlled volumes of water to protect dam structures from excessive pressure. That action reduces one risk but can increase downstream river levels temporarily.

Beyond Europe, northern Morocco has also experienced serious consequences from the same broad weather setup. Overflowing rivers and stressed reservoirs forced very large scale precautionary evacuations in several districts. Government sources estimate that more than 100,000 people have been moved from exposed floodplain communities. The city of Ksar El-Kebir stands among the hardest hit urban areas so far. Streets filled with muddy water, and local markets and workshops reported heavy losses to stock and equipment.

Infrastructure strain is becoming another major concern as the emergency continues into a new phase. Power interruptions, damaged road surfaces, and weakened bridges complicate relief and supply movements. Aid groups are coordinating with local authorities to deliver food, blankets, and medical support to shelters. Public health teams are also watching for water contamination risks after floodwater entered distribution networks. Quick testing and temporary treatment units are being deployed where necessary.

Forecast models suggest that Storm Leonardo will remain near the north west of the Iberian region for several more days. Northern and central Portugal could receive another 150 to 250 millimetres of rain before conditions improve. That projection has prompted pre-emptive closures and travel advisories across exposed districts. Officials are urging residents to avoid unnecessary journeys and respect road closure barriers. Experience shows that many flood fatalities occur when drivers attempt to cross moving water.

While Europe and North Africa face flooding danger, another tropical system has been active in Southeast Asia. Tropical Storm Penha developed over the Philippine Sea and tracked west toward Mindanao this week. The system produced strong wind gusts and intense rainfall as it approached land. Coastal zones prepared for storm surge heights reaching up to two metres in some areas. Inland provinces also received heavy rain warnings due to flash flood and landslide threats.

Penha made landfall in Surigao del Sur with winds strong enough to damage roofs and vegetation, while global monitoring teams tracking Storm Leonardo continue parallel assessments. Meteorological services expect gradual weakening as the system moves across island terrain, even as analysts compare rainfall behaviour with patterns seen during Storm Leonardo events. Even weakening storms can produce serious rainfall totals over mountainous landscapes, a risk model also observed during Storm Leonardo impact studies. Disaster agencies there remain on alert for secondary hazards after the main wind threat declines, using response frameworks refined during recent Storm Leonardo emergencies. Emergency planners are applying lessons learned from recent regional storms to speed response times.

Climate researchers note that warmer air can hold more moisture, which may increase extreme rainfall potential across multiple regions. Recent modelling linked to Storm Leonardo has strengthened discussion around moisture loading and stalled systems. While no single event can be blamed solely on climate change, broader trends remain under close and careful study. The repeated appearance of high impact rainfall events across multiple regions raises difficult planning questions for governments and city authorities. Urban drainage design, land use policy, and early warning systems are under renewed scrutiny across vulnerable zones. Governments are investing more in forecasting technology and cross border data sharing.

For now, the priority remains immediate safety and rapid support for affected communities across all impact zones. Rescue teams continue searches, engineers inspect critical structures, and volunteers assist displaced families with essential supplies. The coming days will determine the full scale of damage and the likely length of recovery efforts. Communities that have endured repeated storms in recent weeks face both physical and emotional strain. Authorities stress that timely warnings and public cooperation save lives during events of this magnitude.

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