Over the weekend, Spain and Portugal faced new storms that created severe weather challenges, just days after the aftermath of the Leonardo storm. In Portugal, the Marta storm prompted the alert of over 26,500 rescue workers to be on standby, and the elections in three municipalities were postponed due to weather conditions. Tragically, reports indicated that at least one rescue worker drowned in the floods, highlighting the dangers faced by emergency responders in such extreme weather events.

In Spain, the impact of the storms was severely felt in the southern region of Andalusia and the northwest area of Galicia. The storms brought heavy rain and damaging winds, leading to the cancellation of most train services in Andalusia and the closure of numerous roads. Thousands of residents were evacuated from their homes as authorities took precautions against the impending storms, with emergency services working tirelessly to ensure public safety amidst the chaos.

These recent weather events underscore the increasing frequency and severity of storms in southern Europe, possibly linked to broader climate change trends. The repeated battering of the region indicates a growing need for robust emergency preparedness and response strategies to mitigate risks associated with such natural disasters.