Spain Hit By Storm Leonardo As Floods Shut 100+ Roads And Force Evacuations

Just arsenic galore parts of Spain were starting to barren out, Storm Leonardo has arrived pinch a caller activity of disruption. Heavy rain, flooding and landslides are erstwhile again causing superior recreation problems, peculiarly successful Andalucía, wherever emergency services are dealing pinch roadworthy closures and precautionary evacuations.

According to nan Dirección General de Tráfico (DGT), much than 118 roads are presently closed crossed nan country, astir of them secondary routes. Andalucía accounts for nan mostly of those closures, pinch each state affected isolated from Almería.

For drivers, nan connection is clear: cheque nan live DGT postulation map earlier mounting off, arsenic conditions are changing hr by hour.

Flooded roads and landslides origin wide disruption

The large wind has brought persistent and aggravated rainfall to overmuch of nan Iberian Peninsula, overwhelming drainage systems and causing rivers to swell. In respective areas, saturated crushed has led to landslides, forcing authorities to unopen roads astatine short notice.

While only 2 of nan closed roads beryllium to Spain’s main roadworthy network, nan effect is still significant. Many of nan affected routes are section connections that group trust connected for regular travel, particularly successful agrarian areas.

Snow-related disruption has eased somewhat compared to earlier successful nan week, pinch 42 roads still affected by snowfall, down from higher figures seen during erstwhile storms. However, officials pass that upland roads stay risky, peculiarly overnight.

Thousands evacuated arsenic obstruction services are suspended

Beyond recreation chaos, Storm Leonardo is besides having a nonstop effect connected residents. More than 3,500 group person been evacuated from their homes successful Andalucía arsenic a precaution, chiefly successful flood-prone zones.

Train passengers are facing awesome disruption too. Renfe has suspended almost each obstruction services successful Andalucía, leaving only a fistful of routes operating. The lines still moving are:

• The Madrid–Córdoba high-speed service
• The Jaén–Madrid Media Distancia
• The Málaga Cercanías C1 line

All different obstruction services successful nan region stay cancelled until conditions improve.

Little alleviation successful show arsenic different large wind looms

Forecasts propose Storm Leonardo will statesman to weaken connected Friday, February 6 but location is small clip to breathe. Meteorologists are already informing that different Atlantic large wind is expected to get connected Saturday, raising concerns that already saturated crushed could lead to further flooding.

Authorities proceed to impulse caution, particularly erstwhile travelling connected secondary roads, and accent nan value of pursuing charismatic advice. For now, Spain remains firmly successful large wind mode, pinch emergency services stretched and carrier networks nether unit yet again.

Stay tuned pinch Euro Weekly News for more news from Spain