Storm Nils continues to batter parts of Western Europe, with Spain and Portugal bearing the brunt of the severe weather. The storm, accompanied by heavy rainfall and strong winds, has prompted red and orange alerts across both countries, disrupting travel, causing evacuations, and claiming at least one life in France, according to reports.
In Spain, red alerts were declared in the northern regions of the Basque Country, Galicia, and Cantabria. The storm uprooted trees and caused widespread disruption. According to officials in Catalonia, one person was injured by a falling tree, bringing the total number of injuries reported in Spain to five.
Educational Disruptions and Travel Chaos in Spain
Authorities in Catalonia suspended classes due to winds exceeding 105 kilometers per hour, which also disrupted both road and rail traffic. Non-essential health services were also curtailed. Catalan civil defense services issued a mobile emergency alert urging residents to remain indoors and avoid unnecessary travel. Barcelona’s El Prat Airport reported the cancellation of over 100 flights on Wednesday, with further delays and cancellations possible. The airport remains operational, but with various restrictions in place.
The Barcelona City Council issued a warning to residents about the risk of falling debris due to the strong winds.
Flooding and Infrastructure Damage in Portugal
Portugal has been grappling with adverse weather conditions for approximately two weeks, resulting in a total of 16 fatalities due to flooding. On Tuesday, authorities evacuated 3,000 people near the historic city of Coimbra. A section of the A1 highway, connecting Lisbon and Porto, suffered damage after a pillar supporting the roadway collapsed following the breach of a dam on the Mondego River during overnight rainfall. The collapse caused a section of the highway near Coimbra to cave in. Extensive flooding has also impacted roads and land in the Coimbra region.
Portuguese Infrastructure Minister Miguel Pinto Luz stated that repairs to the damaged section of the highway will take weeks, contingent on the receding of floodwaters. Civil defense teams in Coimbra reported no immediate danger and indicated no further evacuation efforts were necessary.
Ministerial Resignation Amidst Storm Response Criticism
The severe weather has also triggered political fallout in Portugal. On Tuesday, Interior Minister Maria Lucia Amaral announced her resignation amidst criticism of the government’s response to the recent flooding. Amaral stated she no longer possessed the “personal and political conditions necessary” to carry out her role, and has temporarily passed the portfolio to Prime Minister Luis Montenegro. The resignation comes after two weeks of criticism regarding the authorities’ handling of Storm Kristin, which caused widespread damage and at least six deaths, with winds reaching 200 kph and heavy rainfall impacting thousands of homes, factories, and critical infrastructure.
The government estimates that over 4 billion euros ($4.76 billion) will be required for direct reconstruction costs. Andre Ventura, leader of the far-right Chega party, characterized the resignation as evidence of the government’s inability to deal with adversity, suggesting Montenegro is losing control. Socialist Party leader Jose Luis Carneiro also criticized Montenegro, stating he was “the first person responsible” for the government’s failure to respond effectively to the storms.
Regional Context and Ongoing Threats
Portugal and Spain have experienced a series of storms in recent weeks. Following the devastation caused by Storm Kristin at the end of January, successive tempests Leonardo and Marta brought further heavy rain, strong winds, flooding, and damage. The Spanish meteorological agency, AEMET, has warned that waves could reach up to 9 meters in coastal areas due to the ongoing storm. The turbulent weather is expected to continue into Thursday, February 12, with winds reaching up to 100 kilometers per hour.
The situation highlights the increasing vulnerability of Iberian Peninsula nations to extreme weather events, and raises questions about preparedness and response capabilities in the face of climate change. The resignation of a key minister underscores the political pressures associated with managing such crises and the potential for accountability when responses are perceived as inadequate.
