Severe Weather Hits Iberian Peninsula: Storm Marta Causes Disruption and Damage
On Saturday, Spain and Portugal experienced the impact of Storm Marta, marking the third significant storm to affect the Iberian Peninsula in just a few weeks. The region is grappling with the aftermath of heavy rainfall and catastrophic flooding, disrupting daily life and prompting emergency measures.
In Portugal, authorities have mobilized over 26,500 rescue personnel to assist in various affected areas. The inclement weather forced three municipalities to postpone their presidential elections, originally scheduled for Sunday, until the following week. Amid rising water levels, both countries issued warnings concerning potential flash floods and further evacuations, as existing inundations have already blocked hundreds of roads and disrupted rail services.
Mario Silvestre, commander of Portugal’s civil protection agency, expressed concerns regarding the predictions for the weather system. He warned that gusts of wind could reach up to 110 kilometers per hour as Storm Marta makes landfall, raising the threat of landslides and flash floods across the country.
Portugal is still reeling from the effects of Storm Kristin, which resulted in five fatalities and left tens of thousands without power. Just days later, Storm Leonardo further compounded the situation, leading to one additional death and the evacuation of approximately 1,100 individuals. Notably, the town of Alcácer do Sal was severely affected after the Sado River overflowed, forcing its residents to evacuate.
The National Meteorological Institute (IPMA) in Portugal has placed the entire coastline under orange alert due to dangerous sea conditions, with wave heights reaching an alarming 13 meters. Additionally, eight out of the 18 mainland districts in central and southern Portugal are also on high alert.
“All river basins remain under severe pressure,” stated a spokesperson for the National Civil Protection Authority, emphasizing particular concern for the Tagus and Sado Rivers. According to Jose Pimenta Machado, president of the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA), the recent succession of storms has led to dams releasing an amount of water equivalent to the country’s annual consumption in just three days. Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro estimated that the storm damage exceeds €4 billion.
In Spain, much of the southern region, especially Andalusia, was placed on orange alert as Storm Marta approached. The national meteorological agency Aemet reported that while heavy rain and violent storms were expected, the rainfall would likely not match the extraordinary levels recorded during Storm Leonardo, which claimed two lives, including that of a woman swept away in Andalusia.
The latest downpours in Andalusia have compounded previous flooding, resulting in massive disruptions and the evacuation of more than 10,000 residents. Juan Manuel Moreno, president of the Andalusia region, emphasized that the rivers have reached their limits as renewed rainfall threatens to escalate the crisis.
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, after surveying the flood-affected areas in southern Spain near Cadiz, indicated that “difficult days” lie ahead due to the perilous weather forecast. With numerous roads remaining closed and rail services largely suspended, authorities have advised the populace to limit travel as much as possible.
Experts attribute the recent increase in extreme weather events, including floods and heatwaves across both nations, to human-driven climate change, which is intensifying both the duration and severity of such weather phenomena. As conditions continue to evolve, local and national authorities remain on high alert, prepared to respond to the ongoing challenges posed by Storm Marta and its aftermath.
