Storm Leonardo overwhelms northern Morocco and keeps Spain and Portugal on alert

Storm Leonardo continues to batter northern Morocco, where authorities have activated an unprecedented national mobilisation in response to the risk of flooding in various regions. The storm has also affected Spain and, to a lesser extent, Portugal, in a context marked by weeks of persistent rain and saturated soil.

Morocco, the epicentre of the impact

At this moment, Morocco is the country most affected by the storm. The Ministry of the Interior has confirmed that, as of the morning of the article's publication, 108,423 people have been evacuated and relocated from threatened areas, following reinforced safety protocols. Most of the evacuations are concentrated in the province of Larache, with 81,709 evacuees, where 85% of the population of Ksar el Kebir left the area by their own means. Added to these figures are 9,728 people evacuated in Sidi Kacem, 2,853 in Sidi Slimane and 14,133 in the Kenitra region.

The floods have affected tens of thousands of people, mainly in the north of the country, and the main risk remains the overflowing of rivers and reservoirs. The province of Larache and the city of Ksar el Kebir continue to be the most affected areas, with large areas flooded and hundreds of families relocated to temporary camps and emergency shelters.

The Ministry of the Interior reported that the Royal Armed Forces, the Royal Gendarmerie and Civil Protection remain deployed in the most sensitive areas, in coordination with local authorities. ‘The absolute priority is to protect human lives and ensure that evacuated families have accommodation and essential resources,’ official sources said.

The authorities have not ruled out further evacuations if the rainfall continues. The situation is particularly delicate due to the flooding of the Loukkos River and the level of the Oued El Makhazine reservoir, one of the largest in the country, which has exceeded 140% of its capacity, reaching a record level. The Moroccan Meteorological Directorate warned of up to 150 millimetres of rainfall in less than 48 hours, as well as strong gusts of wind on the Atlantic coast and in the north.

In view of this situation, the government has ordered the exceptional suspension of classes for one week in Ksar el Kebir and other cities such as Tangier, Tetouan, Al Hoceima, Kenitra and Taza. According to the executive, the measure responds to a high and persistent risk of flooding and the need to reduce the exposure of the population.

Andalusia under pressure in Spain

In Spain, the storm has had its greatest impact in Andalusia, where heavy rains have caused flooding, overflowing rivers and landslides. More than 3,000 people have been evacuated as a preventive measure in flood-prone areas and at least 110 roads remain closed or affected, especially in the provinces of Cádiz, Málaga and Jaén.

The 112 emergency service has handled numerous reports of flooded homes, water accumulation and power and communications failures. The Andalusian Regional Government has stated that the worst-case scenario ‘is the one that is currently unfolding’, although the authorities maintain that the measures taken in advance are helping to contain the most serious damage.

The AEMET is maintaining alerts in ten autonomous communities due to the combination of rain, wind, snow, thawing and waves. ‘We are facing a prolonged episode, with persistent rainfall on already saturated land, which increases the risk of flooding,’ explained a spokesperson for the agency.

Portugal steps up surveillance

In Portugal, Leonardo arrives at a particularly sensitive time, as the country is still recovering from the effects of storm Kristin, which caused five deaths last week. Although the impact is less severe than in Morocco and southern Spain, there have been isolated cases of flooding, fallen trees and landslides, particularly in the Lisbon region and the Algarve.

Rui Oliveira, head of operations at the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANEPC), confirmed that the maximum alert level had been activated. ‘No injuries or serious damage have been reported, but the situation requires maximum attention and responsiveness,’ he said.

The IPMA has issued yellow and orange warnings for much of the coastline due to strong waves. In view of this situation, the government has decided to extend the disaster declaration until 8 February in order to facilitate rapid action by the emergency services if the storm intensifies.