Overview of Recent Weather Incidents in Portugal
A significant number of weather-related incidents have been reported in mainland Portugal, with a total of 757 occurrences primarily linked to fallen trees and structural damage. This information was shared with Lusa by a source from the National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection (ANEPC). The most affected districts include Santarém, Lisbon, and Setúbal. Fortunately, the situation has calmed down in recent hours.
Incidents Recorded
Between 8:00 PM and 10:00 PM today, 53 incidents were logged following a peak in occurrences earlier in the afternoon. The ANEPC has confirmed that there have been no significant injuries or major damages reported. In Lisbon, there were 55 instances of bad weather-related incidents noted between midnight and 8:00 PM today, primarily due to fallen trees. A spokesperson from the Lisbon Fire Brigade reported that an incident involving a fallen tree in the late afternoon caused damage to three vehicles.
Injuries and Weather Warnings
At around 4:55 PM, a fallen tree resulted in minor injuries to a 65-year-old woman, affecting her lower limb. The Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) had forecasted heavy rainfall in the North and Central regions, along with wind gusts of 80 to 100 kilometers per hour along the western coastline and highlands. There is also expected to be rough seas due to the passing of depression Ivo.
Red and Orange Weather Alerts
The districts of Porto, Faro, Setúbal, Viana do Castelo, Lisbon, Leiria, Beja, Aveiro, Coimbra, and Braga have been under a red alert since 6:00 PM today, lasting until 6:00 AM Thursday. Following that, the alert will switch to orange until 3:00 PM Thursday due to high wave activity. The IPMA has predicted northwest waves reaching heights of seven to eight meters, with maximum heights potentially hitting 15 meters.
Marine Authority Warnings
In light of the IPMA’s predictions, the National Maritime Authority (AMN) has issued warnings regarding the worsening sea conditions in mainland Portugal until midnight on Friday. The red alert is designated for situations of extreme weather risk, while the orange alert indicates moderate to high weather risk, and the yellow alert signals caution for activities dependent on weather conditions.
Impact of Storm ‘Ivo’
The recent storm has caused various disturbances, including flooding, flying roofs, and fallen trees. The situation remains under close monitoring as authorities continue to assess and respond to the impacts of storm Ivo.
