Portugal is bracing for another wave of severe weather, with more heavy rain and strong winds expected on Saturday. This comes as some 200,000 consumers remain without power, a direct consequence of Storm Christine, which battered the country in recent days, leaving behind significant human and material losses, including five deaths.
High alert and weather warnings
In a swift response to the evolving weather situation, the Portuguese Meteorological Agency (IPMA) has placed the country's mainland on high alert. Forecasts indicate continued heavy rainfall accompanied by strong winds, potentially reaching speeds of 100 kilometers per hour. This unstable weather pattern is expected to persist until next Monday. These warnings come amidst a climate trend of increasingly severe weather events impacting Europe's Atlantic coast.
Widespread damage to infrastructure
Storm Christine, with hurricane force, battered central and northern Portugal on Tuesday night, bringing some areas to a near standstill. The fierce winds uprooted some 5,800 trees, blocking roads and disrupting travel and transportation. In the central region of Leiria, the worst-hit area, the electricity distribution company E-redes reported that around 198,000 customers were still without power as of Saturday afternoon, exacerbating the residents' hardship in the freezing weather.
Human losses and ongoing risks
The damage wasn't limited to property; it also included loss of life. Local authorities reported the death of a 73-year-old man on Saturday in the town of Batalia, near Leiria, after he fell from the roof of his house while attempting to repair storm damage. This incident highlights the significant risks residents face when trying to deal with the storm's aftermath on their own.
Calls for caution and community cooperation
With river levels rising and soil saturated, the Civil Protection Agency warned of potential flooding in urban areas, as well as the risk of landslides and rockfalls. Gonzalo López, the mayor of Leiria, appealed to volunteers to help urgently repair damaged roofs before more rain. Authorities also stressed the need to secure property, avoid coastal areas and riverbanks, and exercise extreme caution while driving to ensure public safety.
