Chaos in Spain Today! Flooding Storm Leonardo Swept Away Homes, Cars in Portugal

Описание: The accumulation of moderate and persistent rainfall brought today by Storm Leonardo is taking its toll on several areas in the province of Malaga. The storm, combined with a phenomenon known as an "atmospheric river" is leaving very high rainfall figures, especially in the Serranía de Ronda and the western end of the Costa del Sol (from Marbella to Manilva). In Ronda, the rain has flooded the Pelistre Bridge and caused damage to streets and buildings, as well as some traffic interruptions. On the other hand, in Arriate, a bridge has fallen after the passage of the Guadalcobacín and several houses have been cut off, so residents cannot go out. More than 3,000 people in the provinces of Malaga, Cadiz and Jaén have been evacuated in light of the risk of floods on Wednesday. Until the danger passes, some are staying at the houses of friends and relatives, while others are taking shelter in hotels and big centres prepared for the preventive measure. In Cadiz province, evacuations took place in the rural areas of Jerez de la Frontera, the La Barca and Guadalcacín areas, the rural settlement of Las Pachecas, the town of San Roque, Los Barrios, Setenil de las Bodegas, Torre Alháquime, Benaocaz and Algeciras. The port authority of Andalucía decided to close all ports under its supervision, which includes facilities in the province of Cadiz and in the Strait of Gibraltar. In the Autonomous Regions of the Azores and Madeira, authorities are also monitoring the situation closely due to forecasts of strong winds, heavy rainfall, and rough seas. In the Azores, particular attention is being given to low-lying coastal areas and zones prone to flash flooding, while in Madeira, officials are warning of the risk of landslides and localized flooding in steep and mountainous terrain. Storm Kristin, which struck Portugal in late January, brought record-breaking winds and torrential rainfall, causing catastrophic damage across central and northern regions. According to national authorities, the regions at highest risk on mainland Portugal include Northern and Central Portugal, particularly the districts of Porto, Braga, Viana do Castelo, Aveiro, Coimbra, Viseu, Leiria, and Castelo Branco, where soils remain saturated and river basins are already under pressure. In Alcacer do Sal, south of Lisbon, the Sado river had burst its banks and the rising water had submerged the town's main avenue, AFP journalists saw. The Lisbon region and the Algarve in the south were most affected, with the rain and wind predicted to reach peak intensity overnight Wednesday to Thursday.


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