Hurricane 'Marta' struck the mainland of Portugal on February 7, and its effects are already being felt: heavy rains and winds exceeding 70 km/h. The storm is moving north, bringing with it abundant precipitation.
Recent flooding caused by the "hurricane caravan" has led to the blockage of hundreds of roads and the interruption of rail services. Thousands of residents have been forced to leave their homes due to rising water levels. Due to the worsening weather, three municipalities have postponed the presidential elections scheduled for February 8 to the following week.
This situation marks yet another chapter in a series of disasters, as Portugal has already experienced the aftermath of storms "Cristina" and "Leonardo," which claimed five lives, left hundreds injured, and tens of thousands without electricity. Hurricane 'Marta' followed these events, and the government has extended the state of emergency until February 15.
The storm is now heading towards Spain. The Spanish meteorological agency warns of heavy rains expected in the southern part of the country, particularly in areas such as Andalusia, where precipitation could exceed 80 liters per square meter in 12 hours and reach 100-150 liters in 24 hours in some places, such as Grazalema.
Spanish authorities emphasize that the rains will fall on already moisture-saturated soils, increasing the risk of flooding, especially in the Guadalquivir basin, which is currently under close observation.
