As destructive storms swept across the south of Europe, residents described nights filled with fear. Flooding in Portugal has intensified, with an overflowing river causing part of a main motorway to collapse. The country has seen 20% of its annual rainfall in just a week, prompting major warnings in Coimbra, central Portugal.

Storms are also hitting Spain, which has recorded far‑above‑average rainfall, and Italy, where overflowing rivers in Calabria have submerged roads. Scientists have linked the extreme weather to climate change.