Iberian Peninsula floods:"Soil now effectively pushing water back out" from so much rain in Spain and Portugal- Watch & read The Sun and Global News reports at Heating Planet blog

"Very scared": Storm Leo hits Spain and Portugal, forces evacuations Global News Feb 5, 2026 Heavy rains from Storm Leonardo hit Spain and Portugal on Thursday, causing severe flooding and prompting evacuations. “From beneath the ground, the pipes creak. And that’s what we were hearing. We were very scared. At first, we thought it was an earthquake, but it wasn’t. It was the creaking. It was a very bad night," said a local resident from the southern Spanish village of Grazalem. Spanish rescuers searched for a woman swept away in a fast-flowing river as she tried to save her dog. Meanwhile, drone footage showed heavy flooding in the Portuguese town of Alcacer do Sal as Storm Leonardo pounded the Iberian Peninsula with torrential rains. After the river Sado breached its banks in southern Portugal, dozens of houses, buildings and businesses were seen completely flooded. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Iws1n1CJZc 

VIDEO 2 THE SUN

Storm Leonardo: Spain and Portugal's sun-soaked South has turned into a soaking nightmare as torrential rains ripped through towns. The flooding has forced 7500 terrified residents to flee their homes. Officials are warning that the crisis is far from over. Cont'd below: Thousands evacuated as DEADLY STORM sweeps Spain and PortugalCONT'D: In Cadiz, Spain, days of relentless downpours have battered the region without mercy; and the rain has come fast, heavy, and with nowhere left to go.

An atmospheric River has dumped huge volumes of water in a short time.The result is ground that is sodden, swollen, and stretched to its limits.

Just as residents tried to catch their breath, meteorologists sounded a new alarm.Another powerful storm system is already on the way.

Andalusian Regional President Juan Manuel Moreno delivered a stark warning on Spanish radio.His message was blunt and unsettling.

“The ground is done,”  Moreno said, describing land that can no longer cope. He warned the soil is now effectively pushing water back out. 

[footage] 

Andalusia, Spain

Riverbeds are full and reservoirs are sitting at maximum safety levels. Authorities fear even moderate rain could trigger new disasters. [footage] 

One of the most alarming flash points is the city of Cordoba. The mighty Guadalquivir river is threatening to spill over its banks. 

[footage] 

Around 700 households have already been evacuated on the outskirts of the city. The danger is especially High near Cordoba's airport [footage]

The airport has been shut down indefinitely as flood waters creep closer. Officials say safety concerns leave them with no other choice. 

Across Andalusia, the wider damage is staggering. All Renfe trains were canceled, 84 highways were cut, and entire neighborhoods were left isolated. 

[footage]

Alcacer Do Sol, PORTUGAL

In the postcard perfect mountain town of Grazalema, fear struck after dark. Residents reported cracking sounds echoing in the night. Authorities ordered the full evacuation of all 1500 residents. Everyone was told to get out quickly and without hesitation. 

What caused the sounds remains unclear. Swifting ground shifting ground or structural failures are suspected. Officials refused to take risks. 

The chaos has not stopped at Spain's border. Just days earlier, storm Leonardo tore through Southwestern Portugal. 

Shocking footage from Alcacer Do Sol shows flood waters swallowing entire streets. Roads covered homes, and businesses were left underwater.

Portuguese officials say 89 people were rescued as the Sado River burst its banks with rivers still high and more storms coming. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JK9v_0srzQ 

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[KE: Everything scientists predicted about global warming/ climate change since the 1970s is coming true, only faster]