Spain and Portugal are bracing for renewed severe weather as Storm Marta advances across the Iberian Peninsula, compounding damage from earlier storms that killed at least two people, displaced more than 11,000 residents, and left large areas flooded.
Authorities warned that saturated ground, swollen rivers, and ongoing rain could worsen flooding and landslides, even as emergency services remained stretched from the impacts of Storms Leonardo and Kristin.
Officials in both countries urged residents to limit travel as transport disruptions and evacuations continued across multiple regions.
In Portugal, more than 26,500 rescue workers were deployed on Saturday as Storm Marta approached, with heavy rain, strong winds, and rough seas forecast nationwide.
Three municipalities postponed Sunday’s presidential vote until next week because of severe weather conditions.
The entire Portuguese coastline was placed on orange alert, with waves expected to reach up to 13 metres, while eight mainland districts were also under heightened warnings.
“All river basins remain under severe pressure,” particularly the Tagus River near Lisbon and the Sado River further south, according to the National Civil Protection Authority.
Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro said storm-related damage had exceeded four billion euros.
Spain’s national weather agency Aemet issued orange alerts across southern and northwestern regions, including Andalusia, as well as Castilla-La Leon, Galicia, Murcia, and the Valencian Community.
While rainfall was expected to be less “exceptional” than during Storm Leonardo, officials warned that waterlogged terrain increased the risk of further flooding.
In Spain’s Andalusia region, new downpours added to earlier flooding that had already forced more than 10,000 people from their homes.
Nearly 170 roads were closed nationwide, and rail services were disrupted in Portugal.
Farmers reported severe crop losses as fields remained submerged for days.
“It is raining without stopping. Crops like broccoli, carrots and cauliflowers are under water. Thousands of hectares inundated. We have a real natural catastrophe,” said Miguel Angel Perez of the COAG farmers’ organisation.
Residents in parts of Málaga province reported ground tremors linked to waterlogging, prompting monitoring by Spanish research specialists.
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez warned after surveying flooded areas near Cadiz that “difficult days” lay ahead due to the “very dangerous” forecast.