Aerial video footage has captured the scale of destruction caused by Storm Leonardo as it batters the Iberian Peninsula, triggering widespread flooding and forcing mass evacuations across Spain and Portugal. The images show swollen rivers spilling into neighborhoods, submerged roadways, and entire communities surrounded by muddy floodwaters as emergency crews race to reach stranded residents.

Authorities report that more than 11,000 people, along with their pets, have been evacuated from flood-hit areas as the storm continues to deliver relentless rainfall. Emergency services have carried out dramatic rescues by boat and helicopter, while local governments opened shelters to accommodate families displaced by rapidly rising water levels. At least one death has been reported in each country, underscoring the severity of the storm.

Storm Leonardo is part of a “train” of consecutive weather systems that has overwhelmed drainage networks, reservoirs, and flood defenses, particularly in southern regions already prone to flooding. Spanish officials have warned that several reservoirs are at or near capacity, increasing the risk of further overflows and infrastructure failure if heavy rain persists.

The flooding has disrupted transportation, damaged homes and businesses, and strained emergency resources across the region. As cleanup efforts begin in some areas, authorities caution that conditions remain dangerous and additional evacuations may be required if rivers continue to rise.

The dramatic aerial footage serves as a stark reminder of the growing impact of extreme weather events and the vulnerability of communities facing prolonged and intense storms.