Spain is grappling with the full force of Storm Leonardo, a powerful Atlantic system supercharged by an atmospheric river that has unleashed record rainfall, life threatening floods and widespread evacuations across some of the country’s most popular holiday regions. As local authorities escalate emergency measures in Andalusia and other hard hit areas, the United Arab Emirates has issued an urgent advisory to its citizens in Spain, urging extreme caution and close adherence to official guidance. For travelers currently in the country or planning a visit in the coming days, understanding the scope of the disruption and the evolving safety recommendations is essential.
Storm Leonardo’s Path Across Spain
Storm Leonardo began affecting the Iberian Peninsula at the start of February, quickly intensifying as it tapped into a deep plume of tropical moisture stretching from the Caribbean to southern Europe. Spanish meteorological agency AEMET raised red alerts in parts of Andalusia, including mountainous and river basin areas where forecasters warned of extraordinarily dangerous rainfall totals within a single day. Localized records have tumbled, with some gauges in Cádiz province reporting cumulative totals that exceed a typical year’s worth of rain within just a few days.
The system has not been confined to one corner of the country. Andalusia, Castilla La Mancha and Galicia have all reported serious flooding as rivers burst their banks and saturated soils began to fail on steep terrain. The Guadalquivir and other major river systems have risen rapidly, overtopping levees in places and inundating agricultural land, rural communities and low lying suburbs on the outskirts of regional cities. Emergency managers say the scale of water involved, coming on top of an already wet winter, has made Leonardo one of the most impactful storms to strike Spain in recent years.
Elsewhere on the Iberian Peninsula, neighboring Portugal and parts of northern Morocco have also felt Leonardo’s effects, with destructive flooding and at least one confirmed fatality reported in Portugal. The storm has arrived in the wake of earlier systems, including Storm Kristin, which battered Portugal and Spain in late January. This succession of severe weather events has compounded the damage to infrastructure and significantly raised the baseline risk of further flooding and landslides whenever fresh rain bands sweep across the region.
Red Alerts, Evacuations and Local Emergency Measures
Across southern Spain, regional authorities moved rapidly from heightened vigilance to full emergency response as Leonardo’s rain bands intensified. In Andalusia, red weather alerts signaled an extreme threat to life and property, triggering the activation of advanced emergency plans that unlock additional resources and coordination at regional and national level. These plans have allowed for a swift mobilization of rescue teams, civil protection units, firefighting services and military support where needed.
Some of the most dramatic scenes have unfolded in the provinces of Cádiz and Málaga. In the hill town of Grazalema and surrounding villages, officials ordered mass evacuations as rainfall projections climbed to several hundred millimeters within a 24 hour window. Entire communities have been temporarily relocated from flood prone valleys and riverbanks to higher, safer ground, with municipal buildings, sports halls and schools converted into emergency shelters. In Málaga province, authorities have cleared residents from rural districts near swollen rivers and steep slopes, responding to both flood and landslide danger.
Education and transport networks have also been heavily disrupted. In-person classes were suspended across much of Andalusia on key storm days, with only a handful of provinces exempted. Dozens of roads have been closed by washouts, rockfalls and fallen trees, while rail operators have cancelled or curtailed services where tracks have been submerged or damaged. In some areas, bridges and secondary routes are undergoing rapid structural checks to ensure their integrity before they can be reopened to traffic, further slowing the return to normal travel patterns.
How the UAE Advisory Changes the Picture for Travelers
As reports of record rainfall, rising rivers and widespread evacuations mounted, the UAE embassy in Madrid issued a safety advisory to Emirati citizens in Spain. Released in early February, the notice urges nationals to exercise maximum caution, closely monitor weather and emergency updates, and comply strictly with all instructions issued by Spanish authorities. The advisory specifically highlights the severe conditions in Andalusia and other badly affected regions, where flash floods and landslides can develop rapidly with little warning.
The advisory is not a blanket ban on travel to Spain but it does represent a clear signal that conditions in some areas are no longer compatible with normal sightseeing or leisure travel. Emirati visitors are being asked to reconsider nonessential movement in regions under the highest alert levels, avoid low lying districts near rivers and reservoirs, and stay away from known floodplains, ravines and unstable slopes. The message is especially pertinent for tourists who might otherwise be tempted to drive out to rural viewpoints, whitewashed villages or coastal hiking routes despite unsettled forecasts.
In parallel, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs has encouraged nationals abroad to register via its consular platforms, allowing officials to quickly identify, locate and assist citizens caught up in natural disasters or sudden crises. Embassy hotlines have been published for those needing urgent consular support, whether because they are stranded by transport disruption, facing accommodation problems due to evacuations, or in need of medical or legal assistance related to the storm. Although no serious injuries among Emirati travelers have been reported so far, authorities have underscored that conditions remain changeable.
Areas Most Affected and What Tourists Are Seeing on the Ground
For visitors already in Spain, the experience of Storm Leonardo varies sharply depending on location. In parts of Andalusia, particularly the interior of Cádiz and Málaga provinces, the storm’s impact has been highly visible. Roads have turned into temporary rivers, rural bridges sit above torrents of brown water, and fields that would normally be green or freshly tilled now resemble shallow lakes. Popular scenic drives through the Sierra de Grazalema and Serranía de Ronda have been interrupted by closures, detours and the constant presence of emergency vehicles.
Tourism hotspots along the Costa del Sol have endured heavy rain, strong winds and rough seas, with authorities warning of dangerous surfing and swimming conditions and advising residents and guests to stay well back from seafront promenades during peak storm periods. Beachfront businesses have experienced localized flooding, and some coastal roads have seen temporary lane closures due to ponding water and wind-blown debris. Even on days when the rain briefly eases, skies remain unsettled and the sea state can change quickly, making vigilance essential.
In other regions, including parts of central and northern Spain, the situation is more mixed. Some inland cities have seen only moderate rainfall and gusty winds, with limited disruption away from low lying neighborhoods. Major urban centers with robust drainage and flood defenses may continue to function relatively normally, albeit with localized delays and weather related inconveniences. However, because Leonardo has affected long distance rail lines and trunk roads serving multiple regions, knock-on impacts on transport and logistics can still be felt far from the worst flood zones.
Transport Disruption: Flights, Roads and Rail
Storm Leonardo’s combination of heavy rain, strong winds and flooding has tested transport infrastructure across Spain. On the roads, authorities have closed numerous secondary routes and some sections of major highways where landslides, fallen trees or subsidence have made conditions unsafe. Drivers are being repeatedly reminded not to attempt to cross flooded roads or fords, even where the water appears shallow, as currents can be deceptively strong and road surfaces may have been damaged or eroded beneath the surface.
Rail services have also faced significant disruption. Flooded tracks, saturated embankments and precautionary speed restrictions have forced operators to cancel or re-route multiple long distance and regional trains. In some flood affected valleys, service suspensions have allowed inspection teams to assess whether ballast has been washed out or bridges undermined by scouring. For travelers, this has meant longer journeys, replacement bus services where feasible, and in some cases, overnight delays while waiting for the network to be made safe.
Air travel has been somewhat more resilient, thanks in part to the concentration of major airports on higher ground and the robust drainage and runway systems installed at key hubs. Nonetheless, Leonardo’s strongest fronts have brought episodes of reduced visibility, wind shear and crosswinds that have led to delays and occasional cancellations. Passengers have been advised to check their flight status frequently, allow extra time at the airport, and remain prepared for last minute gate changes or schedule adjustments as airlines respond to changing weather windows.
Safety Guidance for Emirati and International Visitors
For Emirati citizens and other international travelers currently in Spain, the core safety message is simple: prioritize personal safety over sightseeing and follow official instructions without delay. Visitors in affected regions should monitor local news, heed alerts from Spain’s civil protection services and weather agencies, and stay in close contact with their accommodation providers, who often receive direct updates from municipal authorities. Hotel and guesthouse staff can provide practical advice on which streets to avoid, how to reach higher ground, and what to expect if evacuation orders are issued.
Travelers are strongly advised to avoid driving after dark in rural or mountainous areas while Leonardo’s legacy of flooding and landslides persists. Even where roads appear open, hidden hazards such as undermined shoulders, loose rock and sudden water flows can create danger with little warning. Walking or hiking near swollen rivers, gorges or cliffs is similarly risky, as soft ground and undercut banks can collapse unexpectedly. Those staying in vacation rentals or private accommodation near rivers or on steep slopes should familiarize themselves with exit routes and identify safe, elevated areas nearby.
Emirati nationals, in particular, are encouraged to keep their embassy’s contact details readily accessible and ensure their mobile phones stay fully charged, with portable battery packs where possible. Registering travel itineraries and current locations with consular services can significantly speed up assistance if conditions worsen or if further storms follow Leonardo. It is also sensible to maintain a small emergency kit in accommodation and vehicles, including water, snacks, essential medications, warm clothing and copies of key documents.
Looking Ahead: Weather Outlook and Travel Planning
As of mid February, meteorologists indicate that while Leonardo is gradually weakening and moving away, Spain’s saturated landscapes remain vulnerable. Additional frontal systems, including subsequent named storms, have already brushed the Iberian Peninsula and may continue to do so during the remainder of the winter season. Even moderate rainfall on ground that is already waterlogged can trigger fresh floods, prolong road closures and slow repair work in badly affected municipalities.
For travelers considering imminent trips to Spain, flexibility is crucial. Those whose plans center on Andalusia’s rural interiors, hill towns or river valleys should stay closely attuned to updated forecasts and local advisories, and be prepared to adjust itineraries to focus on less affected regions or postpone certain excursions. Urban breaks in larger cities with stronger infrastructure may prove more practical in the short term, although even there, occasional disruption to rail links and regional road networks should be expected.
The UAE advisory will remain an important reference point for Emirati travelers while authorities in both countries continue to monitor conditions. As floodwaters recede and repair works advance, further updates are likely to clarify which regions are once again suitable for normal tourism and which will need a longer recovery period. Until then, a cautious, well informed approach, backed by close communication with consular officials and local authorities, offers the best way to balance travel aspirations with safety in the wake of Storm Leonardo’s fury.