A devastating storm named Leonardo has brought torrential rain and gale-force winds to Portugal and Spain, claiming a life and leaving one young girl missing. In Portugal, a 70-year-old man perished after floodwaters swept his car off a road in Alentejo, while in southern Spain's Malaga province, a girl vanished while trying to rescue her dog from the Turvilla River.
The latest storm is part of a string of six major storms that have battered the Iberian Peninsula this year, resulting in multiple fatalities and destruction on an unprecedented scale. The region's infrastructure has been severely tested, with thousands left without power and homes submerged by rising floodwaters.
Residents in southern Portugal have expressed shock and concern at the sheer scale of the disaster, describing it as "surreal" and "unlike anything they've ever seen." In Alcacer do Sal, residents were forced to wade through waist-deep water to reach their homes, while shopkeepers and homeowners used sandbags to protect their properties.
Spanish authorities have confirmed that 14 rivers and 10 dams are at extreme risk of overflowing due to the severe weather conditions. Emergency teams in Malaga province resumed the search for the missing girl at first light on Thursday, but so far, she remains unaccounted for.
The situation is expected to worsen as Storm Marta, a new front in the ongoing storm train, is forecast to reach the region this weekend. The economic impact of the storms alone may exceed €4 billion ($4.7 billion), according to Portuguese Economy Minister Manuel Castro Almeida.
As the people affected by the disaster struggle to come to terms with what has happened, one thing is clear: the Iberian Peninsula is facing a perfect storm of severe weather conditions that threaten its very infrastructure and way of life.
The latest storm is part of a string of six major storms that have battered the Iberian Peninsula this year, resulting in multiple fatalities and destruction on an unprecedented scale. The region's infrastructure has been severely tested, with thousands left without power and homes submerged by rising floodwaters.
Residents in southern Portugal have expressed shock and concern at the sheer scale of the disaster, describing it as "surreal" and "unlike anything they've ever seen." In Alcacer do Sal, residents were forced to wade through waist-deep water to reach their homes, while shopkeepers and homeowners used sandbags to protect their properties.
Spanish authorities have confirmed that 14 rivers and 10 dams are at extreme risk of overflowing due to the severe weather conditions. Emergency teams in Malaga province resumed the search for the missing girl at first light on Thursday, but so far, she remains unaccounted for.
The situation is expected to worsen as Storm Marta, a new front in the ongoing storm train, is forecast to reach the region this weekend. The economic impact of the storms alone may exceed €4 billion ($4.7 billion), according to Portuguese Economy Minister Manuel Castro Almeida.
As the people affected by the disaster struggle to come to terms with what has happened, one thing is clear: the Iberian Peninsula is facing a perfect storm of severe weather conditions that threaten its very infrastructure and way of life.
... Six major storms in one year? It's just so sad to think about all those lives lost & homes destroyed 
. I can only imagine how terrifying it must be for people living in areas like Alentejo & Malaga, having to deal with floodwaters every other week 
. The thought of 14 rivers & 10 dams at risk of overflowing is just too much 
... We need to do everything we can to support the people affected by these disasters 
. And €4 billion in economic impact? That's a lot of money that could've been spent on helping those in need instead of just recovering from natural disasters 
. Let's all send our thoughts & prayers to Portugal, Spain, & their communities 
.
. It's like, what's the point of even having names for storms anymore? Just sounds like a bunch of fancy weather nonsense to me.
. And what about the poor girl who went missing? Family must be through the roof right now.
. We need to step up our game and make sure everyone's prepared for this kind of stuff. Safety first, folks! 
another one in Portugal just like Alentejo, a 70-year-old man who lost his life to floodwaters... can't even imagine how traumatic it must be for his family 
I mean, the €4 billion economic hit is crazy, but at least they're getting some help from their governments. And can we just say how amazing it is that emergency teams are still searching for that little girl in Malaga? 
She's got this! 
And let's not forget all those brave residents wading through waist-deep water to get home... they're my heroes, fam! 
I mean, the fact that residents in Alcacer do Sal had to wade through waist-deep water to reach their homes is actually kinda inspiring? They're stuck together in this crazy situation, helping each other out... it's like a scene from a movie or something. And those shopkeepers and homeowners using sandbags to protect their properties? That's determination right there! 
this is just getting crazy... six major storms already and it's only mid-summer. i'm watching on reddit and ppl are saying it's like a scene from a movie, all these rivers overflowing and people losing their homes 
. the economy is gonna take a hit too, i heard that's how much the government estimated for just the past few weeks alone... €4 billion? that's like what, $5 million an hour or something 
. storm marta is supposed to come this weekend so we're in for another nightmare 
It's like something out of a movie! 
I'm thinking of all the families who have been affected by this storm, struggling to get back on their feet. 
The thought of €4 billion in economic damage is just mind-boggling... that's like, a whole lot of money! 
gotta feel for the ppl in portugal too, floodwaters are waist deep in some areas 
- like, who needs good weather when you can have torrential rains and gale-force winds? It's about time the Iberian Peninsula got a wake-up call! The fact that people are getting all bent outta shape over some floodwaters is, like, super lame 
. I mean, it's not like they didn't see this coming - six major storms already this year? That's just the way the cookie crumbles, right? 
And €4 billion in economic damage? Pffft, that's just a drop in the bucket compared to all the money people spend on stuff they don't even need 
And €4 billion worth of damage? That's like, a whole lotta euros... or should I say, "pennies" compared to how much Portugal and Spain are gonna need to rebuild 
anyway, i'm sure our lovely infrastructure will somehow magically fix itself and we'll all just be like "oh well, that's just part of life in Europe now" 
this is just so heartbreaking the thought of those kids being separated from their family while trying to save their pet is just devastating 
the scale of the disaster is mind-boggling, i mean €4 billion in economic damage alone is just insane 
Portugal and Spain are literally getting slammed with these massive storms this year... like, what's the point of even having a forecast anymore? 
The fact that they're already expecting €4 billion in economic damage is just wild... and it's not like they haven't had enough to deal with already. I mean, who needs that kind of stress when you're trying to live your best life? 
. Portugal and Spain are basically being flooded with all the rain and wind, and I'm not even talking about the drama that comes with it... a life lost and a young girl still missing? That's just wild 
.
. Like, can't we just get some decent weather for once? €4 billion economic impact is already being estimated? It's like they're saying, "Hey, you know what would be fun? A massive storm that wipes out a chunk of our economy! 
"