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Marta Sweeps Iberia With New Floods as Firefighter Dies in Portugal

Officials warn saturated soils plus recent dam releases keep flood and landslide risks high despite a brief lull.

Overview

  • Heavy rain and strong winds from Marta inundated large areas of southern Spain and Portugal, cutting dozens of roads and widely suspending rail service.
  • Authorities in Andalusia report more than 11,000 residents evacuated in recent days, with shelters opened in hard‑hit towns such as Grazalema.
  • Portugal’s civil protection confirms a volunteer firefighter died during a river patrol while responding to flooding, with additional landslides reported.
  • Prime Minister Luís Montenegro estimates Portugal’s damages at over €4 billion, as water officials note three days of dam releases equaled the country’s annual consumption.
  • A brief easing is expected Sunday and Portugal’s presidential runoff is set to proceed nationally, though several hard‑hit municipalities postponed local voting by one week.