In February 2026, what country experienced floods that led to the evacuation of over 140,000 people?

In February 2026, the North African nation of Morocco experienced severe flooding that necessitated the evacuation of over 140,000 people from affected regions. Torrential rainfall, largely brought by Storm Leonardo, and subsequently Storm Marta, led to rapidly rising water levels and widespread inundation, particularly in the country's northern provinces.

The floods were a direct consequence of exceptionally heavy precipitation, which caused major rivers, such as the Loukkous, to overflow their banks. This resulted in significant flooding in towns like Ksar El Kebir in Larache province, where a large majority of residents had to be relocated. The Moroccan Interior Ministry confirmed that 143,164 individuals were moved from their homes, with Larache province accounting for the majority of these evacuations.

While the heavy rains were a welcome sight after a prolonged seven-year drought, their intensity also brought considerable disruption. Beyond the mass evacuations, the floods led to power and water outages, damage to agricultural areas affecting crops like avocados and olives, and delays in port operations. Moroccan authorities, including the armed forces, were mobilized to assist with the evacuations, clear roads, and establish temporary shelters for the displaced population.