Spain and Portugal have escalated weather warnings to their most severe red level, prompting the evacuation of more than 3,000 individuals in the Andalusia region. This urgent action comes as heavy storms, including Storm Kristin, batter the Iberian Peninsula, posing significant risks to residents and tourists alike.
Critical Red Advisories Issued Across Southern Regions
The Spanish State Meteorological Agency, known as AEMET, has activated a Red Advisory for intense rainfall in Cádiz and sections of Málaga province. This highest-level alert forecasts accumulations of up to 150 millimetres within a 12-hour period and 200 millimetres over 24 hours in certain inland areas. Authorities are particularly concerned about the potential for severe flooding in the Guadalquivir and Guadalete river basins.
Widespread Disruption and Safety Measures
In response to the extreme conditions, all educational institutions in Andalusia have been closed to ensure public safety. The regional government has strongly advised residents to avoid any non-essential travel. Additionally, a spectrum of yellow and amber weather alerts remains in effect across both nations, indicating continued hazardous conditions.
Netweather TV has reported that the evacuations are a direct measure to mitigate the high flood risk. The situation is compounded by the imminent arrival of Storm Leonardo, which meteorologists predict will deliver further substantial rainfall to the region this week.
Historical Context and Ongoing Impact
Recent weather patterns have already set concerning precedents. Spain's Environment Ministry noted that January saw 119.3 millimetres of rainfall, which is 85 percent above the average recorded between 1992 and 2020. This makes it the second-wettest January of the current century.
The aftermath of the storms has led to significant infrastructure challenges. In Portugal, nearly 134,000 households experienced power outages over the weekend, with approximately 95,000 of these located in the central Leiria region, according to the power distribution company E-Redes.
In a move to support recovery efforts, the Portuguese government approved a substantial financial package on Sunday. This 2.5 billion-euro initiative includes loans and incentives designed to assist both individuals and businesses in rebuilding after the storm's devastation.
Weather authorities continue to warn of intense and persistent rainfall across southern Spain and Portugal, with disruptions expected to persist in the coming days.
