PORTUGAL has been hit by one of its strongest storms on record as Hurricane Leslie left hundreds of thousands of families without power and dozens injured.

Winds topping 125mph sent huge trees crashing onto cars in the capital city of Lisbon and the tourist hot spot of Porto in the north of the country.

Spain is now being smashed by the severe weather front, which has been dubbed a “zombie” storm because of the way it meandered through the Atlantic Ocean for weeks.

The hurricane, now a post-tropical cyclone, swept into northern and central Portugal overnight, with officials warning people not to venture outdoors.

At least 300,000 homes were reported to be left without power, while several flights to and from Lisbon were cancelled.

There have been no reports of deaths however at least 27 people are reported to have been injured in the brutal weather onslaught.

Portugal’s weather service issued red warnings – its highest level – for high winds or dangerous coastal conditions for 13 of its 18 mainland districts.

About 1,000 trees have been uprooted, officials say. The main A1 motorway was among the roads temporarily blocked by debris.

Over 200 power lines were affected by the storm, according to reports citing the national power authority EDP.

Luis Belo Costa, of Portugal’s national protection agency, told residents to “avoid at all costs walking on the street.”

At least 300,000 homes were reported to be without power after the storm hit

There have been no reports of deaths however at least 27 people are injured

Some 1,900 incidents were reported to emergency services, although civil defence commander Luis Belo Costa said “the greatest danger has passed”.

Hundreds of people remained in an arts centre in Figueira da Foz after a concert because of the high winds.

A resident of the town told SIC television: “I have never seen anything like it, The town seemed to be in a state of war, with cars smashed by fallen trees. People were very worried.”