Portugal & Spain Storm Warning: Kristin Recovery Ongoing

Second Storm Threatens Portugal and Spain Amidst Ongoing Recovery from Deadly Kristin

A new weather system, dubbed Leonardo, is poised to bring further flooding and damage to Portugal and spain beginning Tuesday, compounding the devastation left by Storm Kristin just one week prior. The Iberian Peninsula faces a continued onslaught of severe weather, raising concerns about long-term recovery efforts and the potential for escalating humanitarian crises.

Iberian Peninsula braces for Renewed Impact

The Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) forecasts that Storm Leonardo will impact mainland Portugal from Tuesday through Saturday, and extend to Spain starting Wednesday. This follows a period of unusually intense storms that have battered the region in recent months, wiht some residents reporting that southern Spain is experiencing its wettest winter in 40 years.

Leonardo’s Forecast and Potential Hazards

According to the IPMA, Storm Leonardo is expected to deliver persistent and at times heavy rainfall. Wind gusts could reach up to 75 km/h (47 mph) along the Portuguese coast south of Cabo Mondego, and up to 95 km/h in mountainous areas.while these wind speeds are anticipated to be lower than the peak gusts exceeding 200 km/h unleashed by Storm Kristin last week – among the strongest winds ever recorded in Portugal – the potential for widespread flooding remains notable.

A deputy commander of the national emergency and civil protection authority ANEPC stated Monday evening that the anticipated heavy rains could exacerbate flooding, particularly in areas already reeling from the impact of Storm Kristin.

Did you know?– Portugal and Spain are particularly vulnerable to Atlantic storms due to their geographic location and mountainous terrain, which can amplify rainfall and wind speeds.

Kristin’s Devastating Legacy

Storm Kristin, which began impacting Portugal last Wednesday, resulted in six fatalities and widespread destruction of homes, factories, and critical infrastructure. The scale of the damage is prompting concerns about the length of the recovery process.

Visiting affected factories in Pombal, Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro acknowledged the immense challenge ahead, stating, “It was a calamity that hit us… it has already rained a lot, it will continue to rain and there are a lot of losses.” Montenegro indicated that the full restoration of damaged factories, public equipment, roads, and railways could take years.

As of Monday, nearly 115,000 households remained without electricity, with approximately 85,000 of those outages concentrated in the Leiria region of central Portugal, according to electricity distribution company E-Redes.

Pro tip– Before and during storms, secure outdoor objects, clear gutters and downspouts, and have a family emergency plan in place.

Spain on High Alert

In Spain, weather authorities have issued warnings for heavy and persistent rainfall across the southern part of the country. The Grazalema mountains are particularly vulnerable, with projected accumulated precipitation potentially exceeding 200-250 mm within a 24-hour period. Officials have warned of a severe flood risk due to rapidly rising river levels.

Authorities in the southern region of Andalusia have proactively suspended most classes for Wednesday, urged residents to avoid non-essential travel, and requested that Spain’s emergency military unit be prepared to intervene if necessary. The situation underscores the growing strain on emergency services and the urgent need for coordinated disaster response efforts across the Iberian Peninsula.

Reader question– What steps can communities take to improve their resilience to extreme weather events like these storms?