The Spanish meteorological agency lifted the red alert in Andalusia on Thursday, February 5, 2026, following the passage of depression Leonardo, which wreaked havoc in the south of Spain. Despite a reduction in precipitation, authorities continue to search for a missing woman, while maintaining an orange alert due to ongoing threats from saturated soils and strong winds.
Red Alert Lifted, but Caution Remains
On Thursday, the Spanish meteorological agency, Aemet, announced that the red alert for exceptional rains was lowered to orange, signaling a shift in the severity of the weather event caused by depression Leonardo. “Continued rainfall in Andalusia will be less intense, but significant accumulations will still occur in areas that are already saturated,” Aemet noted. The warning serves as a reminder that while conditions are improving, vigilance is still necessary as very strong winds persist.
Searching for the Missing
Amidst the recovery efforts, the Civil Guard is actively searching for a woman reported missing after falling into the Turville River in the commune of Sayalonga. The search was initiated after another woman, who was with her at the time, raised the alarm. This incident serves as an unfortunate reminder of the dangers posed by the extreme weather that has swept through the region.
Impact on Schools and Transportation
In response to what Aemet described as “extraordinary” rainfall totals exceeding 40 cm in certain areas, local authorities closed most schools on Wednesday and evacuated approximately 3,500 residents as a precaution. As conditions improved, some schools reopened on Thursday, although many remain closed in the hardest-hit areas. Transportation networks are still significantly disrupted, with rail and road traffic at a standstill in various locations, preventing many residents from returning to normalcy.
Regional Impact and Neighboring Challenges
The impact of depression Leonardo extends beyond Andalusia. In neighboring Portugal, the recovery from Storm Kristin, which recently caused multiple fatalities and injuries, was abruptly overshadowed when a sixty-year-old man was swept away by a river in the southeast of the country. This tragic event highlights the broader challenges facing the Iberian Peninsula, which is grappling with increased climate-related disasters.
Climate Change at the Forefront
The Iberian Peninsula has become a focal point for the repercussions of climate change, enduring longer heat waves and increasingly frequent episodes of heavy rainfall that often lead to disastrous flooding. Authorities and scientists are urging immediate action to address these escalating climate threats and work towards sustainable solutions for the future. As residents of Andalusia begin the recovery process, the focus shifts to improving infrastructural resilience to better withstand such natural catastrophes in the future.
As the region continues to recover from the effects of depression Leonardo, the community remains united in hope and resilience, proving that together, they can face even the most daunting challenges posed by nature.