Storm Marta has slammed into Spain and Portugal with extraordinary force, bringing renewed flooding, gale force winds and dangerous seas to a region already battered by a relentless train of Atlantic storms. On the weekend of 7 and 8 February 2026, rivers burst their banks, thousands of people were evacuated, transport links were cut and authorities issued urgent warnings to both residents and visitors. While a brief lull in rainfall on Sunday has offered some respite, water levels remain critically high, soils are saturated and officials are warning that the risk of further floods, landslides and travel disruption will persist in the days ahead.
A Region Reeling From Successive Storms
Storm Marta did not arrive in isolation. It is the latest in a sequence of severe winter storms that have pounded the Iberian Peninsula since late January, most notably Storm Leonardo just days earlier. This succession of systems has left reservoirs full, rivers swollen and ground conditions dangerously primed for rapid flooding. When Marta’s heavy rain bands and powerful winds swept in on Saturday 7 February, they fell on landscapes already close to breaking point.
In Spain, the national weather agency AEMET had warned that Marta would bring a new phase of intense rainfall, snow at higher elevations and hazardous coastal conditions. In Portugal, the Institute for the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) issued widespread orange alerts, its second-highest warning level, for coastal districts threatened by high waves and for inland areas facing torrential rain and, in the mountains, heavy snowfall. Authorities in both countries stressed that even if rainfall totals were lower than during the peak of Leonardo, any additional downpours on saturated terrain could trigger rapid and destructive flooding.
The impact has been especially severe in regions that had little time to recover. In southern Spain’s Andalusia, where lethal flooding from earlier storms had already forced mass evacuations, Marta’s arrival extended a humanitarian and logistical emergency. In central and southern Portugal, communities along the Tagus and Douro river basins, many still coping with damage from previous inundations, once again found themselves under threat as water levels surged.
Floodwaters, Evacuations and Travel Chaos
As Marta’s rain bands moved inland, waterways that were already swollen quickly spilled over. In Andalusia, more than 11,000 people have been forced to leave their homes in low-lying areas and floodplains, many of them in communities along the Guadalquivir River and its tributaries. Emergency shelters set up earlier in the week remain full, and authorities have warned evacuations could increase if river levels rise further when water released from upstream reservoirs works its way downstream.
Across Spain, nearly 170 roads have been closed due to floods, landslides, snow and fallen trees, isolating some rural communities and complicating the work of emergency responders. In the central province of Ávila, a snowplow driver was killed after his vehicle plunged down a steep slope in treacherous conditions, underscoring the hazards facing those trying to keep roads open. In coastal and mountain areas alike, officials have urged drivers to avoid non-essential travel and to be prepared for sudden closures and diversions.
Portugal has also suffered major disruption. Rail services have been reduced or suspended on several key routes because of flooded tracks, soil instability and damage to infrastructure. Local roads near rivers in districts south of the Tagus, including parts of Alentejo and the Algarve interior, have been repeatedly cut as smaller streams overflow and drainage systems fail to cope with intense rainfall. Even in areas experiencing a temporary break in the downpours, many routes remain unsafe because of standing water, mudslides and structural damage to bridges and embankments.
Coastal Fury, High Seas and Mountain Snow
While flooding has captured most of the headlines, Marta has also unleashed dangerous conditions at sea and in high mountain regions. Along Portugal’s Atlantic coast, particularly south of Cape Carvoeiro, IPMA placed the entire shoreline under orange warnings for hazardous waves. West-facing beaches and harbor entrances have seen powerful swells, with significant wave heights expected to reach around seven meters and occasional peaks much higher. Port authorities have restricted operations at several fishing harbors and advised against any recreational boating.
On the south coast of Portugal’s Algarve and along parts of Spain’s southern Atlantic façade, strong onshore winds combined with high tides have exacerbated coastal flooding and erosion. Seafront promenades and low-lying car parks have been inundated, while lifeguard services and maritime police have closed many beaches due to the extreme surf and the risk of rogue waves sweeping people from rocks or piers. Tourists tempted to admire the stormy seas have been repeatedly warned to keep well back from the water’s edge.
Inland, Marta’s circulation has drawn colder air over the Iberian interior, turning rain to snow at higher elevations. Mountain ranges such as Spain’s central cordilleras and Portugal’s Serra da Estrela have seen heavy snowfall and blizzard conditions, with snow lines fluctuating between roughly 900 and 1,400 meters. In Serra da Estrela, accumulations have exceeded several tens of centimeters above the highest passes. While picturesque, this snow has closed mountain roads, increased avalanche risk on steep slopes and added a new dimension of difficulty for rescue operations already stretched by floods and landslides.
Human Toll and Strain on Emergency Services
Beyond infrastructure damage and travel disruption, Storm Marta has brought further tragedy to communities already in mourning from the previous storm. In Portugal’s central Portalegre district, an emergency worker died after being swept away by floodwaters during a rescue operation near Campo Maior. In Spain, authorities reported the death of a road maintenance employee in a snowbound area, as well as the discovery of additional bodies linked to earlier flood incidents in Andalusia. Taken together with fatalities from the recent sequence of storms, the human toll across Iberia has climbed into double digits.
Emergency services in both countries are under immense pressure. Portugal has deployed more than 26,000 firefighters, civil protection officers, soldiers and volunteers to rescue stranded residents, reinforce riverbanks, clear debris and provide logistical support. Spain has mobilized national and regional emergency units, including specialized flood response and mountain rescue teams, as well as national police and military personnel to assist with evacuations and transport security.
Hospitals and clinics in affected regions have activated contingency plans to deal with injuries from falls, traffic accidents and rescue operations in hazardous conditions. There is also heightened concern for vulnerable populations, including older adults living alone in rural areas, people with limited mobility in buildings that may lose power or heating, and migrants or seasonal workers housed in precarious accommodation near rivers or agricultural fields. Social services and non-governmental organizations are working alongside official agencies to ensure emergency shelters are adequately supplied with bedding, food, medicines and psychological support.
Agriculture Under Water and Economic Shockwaves
For farmers across Spain and Portugal, Storm Marta has deepened what many describe as a catastrophic winter season. Agricultural organizations report that thousands of hectares of crops are underwater, particularly in floodplains and low-lying areas of Andalusia, Extremadura and Portugal’s Alentejo. Fields of broccoli, carrots, cauliflower and other winter vegetables are submerged, while tree crops such as citrus face root damage and long-term productivity losses if waterlogging persists.
Initial estimates from national authorities indicate that cumulative damage to agriculture and forestry from the recent sequence of storms has already reached into the hundreds of millions of euros, and could climb significantly higher as inspections continue. Livestock producers are also counting the costs, with pastureland ruined, access roads to remote farms washed out and barns or storage facilities damaged by wind and floodwaters. In some areas, farmers have had to move animals to higher ground or emergency shelters at short notice, straining already limited resources.
The economic knock-on effects are spreading well beyond the farm gate. Disruptions to transport routes are complicating the distribution of fresh produce both domestically and for export. Local markets and supermarket supply chains are bracing for reduced availability of some vegetables in the coming weeks, along with potential price increases. Rural tourism businesses, from country guesthouses to adventure outfitters, are facing cancellations as flooded landscapes, closed hiking routes and damaged infrastructure diminish their appeal during what should be a key period for winter and early spring getaways.
Tourists Confront a Moving Target of Risks
For international visitors and domestic travelers alike, Storm Marta has transformed much of Iberia into a challenging and sometimes hazardous destination. Popular city-break hubs such as Lisbon, Seville and Málaga remain reachable, but travelers are encountering significant disruptions to rail and road links, closures of scenic drives and reduced access to some cultural and natural attractions. Riverside promenades, historic bridges and waterfront quarters in several towns are either flooded or cordoned off, altering the experience for sightseers and photographers.
Coastal resorts along Portugal’s Algarve and Spain’s Costa de la Luz and Costa del Sol have been particularly affected by high seas and strong winds. Beachfront hotels and restaurants have, in many cases, remained open, but authorities have closed many beaches and warned against water sports, cliff walks near unstable coastal sections and any attempt to get close to wave-battered piers or breakwaters. Even on days when the sun briefly reappears, swells and currents can remain treacherous long after the rain has passed.
In mountain regions, a different set of hazards awaits. While fresh snowfall may appear inviting to skiers and snowboarders, rapidly changing conditions, high avalanche danger, poor visibility and the risk of sudden road closures mean that winter sports plans should be treated as provisional. Many ski access roads are operating under tight controls, requiring chains or prohibiting entry to vehicles without proper equipment. Mountain rescue services are appealing to visitors not to underestimate the dangers and to heed all closure signs and local guidance.
Practical Guidance for Travelers in Affected Areas
Tourists currently in Spain and Portugal or planning to arrive in the coming days should exercise a high degree of flexibility and caution. Before setting out each day, travelers are advised to check up-to-date bulletins from national meteorological services, as well as advisories from regional civil protection authorities. Conditions can change rapidly, and areas that seem calm in the morning can experience sudden river surges or localized downpours later in the day as new storm bands arrive.
Those driving should plan routes carefully, avoid minor roads close to rivers or known floodplains, and allow extra time for detours and delays. It is essential never to attempt to cross flooded roadways, whether on foot or by car. Even shallow-looking water can conceal washed-out surfaces, hidden obstacles or strong currents capable of sweeping vehicles away. Rental car users should verify insurance coverage for flood damage and ensure that emergency numbers and roadside assistance contacts are stored on their phones.
Travelers staying near coasts, rivers or steep slopes should familiarize themselves with exit routes and muster points in their accommodation, and listen closely to instructions from hotel staff or local officials. If civil protection authorities order evacuations, these must be followed immediately, even if the situation outside does not yet appear severe. Visitors with prebooked excursions, particularly boat trips, canyoning, hiking or off-road tours, should confirm with operators whether activities are proceeding and under what safety conditions, and should not pressure guides to continue in unsafe environments.
What Comes Next: Vigilance After the Storm
Although meteorologists forecast that the heaviest rainfall linked to Storm Marta will ease after the weekend, the crisis in Spain and Portugal is far from over. River levels remain high, and controlled releases from swollen reservoirs are likely to keep some floodplains under water for days. The saturated state of the ground means that even moderate additional rain could trigger renewed flooding and landslides, particularly on unstable slopes above roads, villages and key infrastructure.
Authorities in both countries are also turning their attention to medium and long-term recovery. Engineers will need to assess damage to bridges, railways, levees and coastal defenses, while urban planners and local governments face difficult debates about rebuilding in areas that have flooded repeatedly in recent years. The agriculture sector is demanding substantial support to cope with crop losses, livestock impacts and the cost of repairing irrigation systems and access roads. Insurance companies, meanwhile, are preparing for a surge of claims linked to flooded homes, businesses and vehicles.
For travelers, the immediate priority is safety, but there is also an opportunity to support affected communities responsibly once conditions improve. Visitors who remain flexible, heed official advice and respect local hardships can still enjoy many of the cultural, culinary and natural attractions that make Spain and Portugal such compelling destinations. In the near term, however, Storm Marta serves as a vivid reminder that even the most beloved holiday regions are increasingly vulnerable to extreme weather. Anyone planning a trip to the Iberian Peninsula in the coming weeks should treat weather checks and contingency planning as essential parts of their travel preparations, not afterthoughts.