Storm Leonardo slams southern Spain, forcing mass evacuations and transport shutdowns
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Spain’s southern Andalusia region was hit Wednesday by torrential rain from Storm Leonardo, forcing the evacuation of more than 3,000 people, shutting schools, and crippling rail and road transport across multiple provinces, as reported by RTE Ireland.
Storm Leonardo battered large parts of southern Spain on Wednesday, unleashing what meteorologists described as “extraordinary” rainfall that triggered mass evacuations, widespread transport shutdowns, and rising flood risks across Andalusia, as reported by EuroWeekly.
Spain’s weather agency AEMET issued its highest red alert for areas of Cádiz, Málaga, Jaén, Grazalema, Ronda and the Strait of Gibraltar, warning that some mountain regions could receive more than 200–400 litres of rain per square metre within hours — in some cases approaching a full year’s worth of precipitation, as reported by the Kuwait News Agency.
Authorities evacuated more than 3,000 residents from flood‑prone neighbourhoods and river valleys after water levels rose rapidly overnight. Emergency crews, supported by hundreds of soldiers from Spain’s Military Emergency Unit, carried out rescues from homes, vehicles and rural properties cut off by rising water and landslides. Temporary shelters were opened across the region.
Transport networks suffered severe disruption. State rail operator Renfe suspended nearly all suburban, regional and long‑distance services in Andalusia, including high‑speed AVE routes between Málaga and Antequera after a landslip near Álora destabilized tracks. Road closures multiplied as flooding, debris and surface damage made travel impossible in several provinces, as reported by InSpainNews.
Schools and day centres were closed across most of Andalusia — with the exception of Almería — while the North African enclave of Ceuta was left isolated after all sea and air traffic was cancelled due to dangerous coastal conditions. Power outages affected thousands of homes in Cádiz and Seville, as reported by TheSpanishEye.
Officials warned that the ground, already saturated from previous storms, could no longer absorb additional rainfall, increasing the risk of flash floods and landslides as the storm system continues to move across the Iberian Peninsula. Meteorologists said the event may contribute to Spain’s wettest winter in years.