Portugal is grappling with the effects of Depression Joseph, which has left hundreds of incidents in its wake as the country prepares for more bad weather courtesy of new Storm Kristin.
The National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection (ANEPC) reported 490 incidents between midnight and 7.45am this Tuesday (January 27), mostly fallen trees and flooding, with the Porto metropolitan area hardest hit. During the night, 1,694 emergency personnel and 641 vehicles were deployed across the country, though no major injuries were reported.
GNR police warned that numerous roads were closed due to the effects of the weather, particularly in the north and central regions. Already on Monday, over 700 incidents were recorded, prompting the relocation of a family of five in Porto Salvo, Oeiras, after a landslide threatened their home.
But more bad weather is on the way, now thanks to Depression Kristin. The Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) has issued a red alert for the entire mainland coast of Portugal due to rough seas until 9pm on Wednesday, after which it will be downgraded to a still serious orange alert.
Extreme winds are also expected, prompting yellow and red alerts from midnight until 9am across the coiuntry, with gusts potentially reaching 140km/h in some areas.
Meanwhile, a yellow alert for heavy rain has been declared until Thursday at 9am in the districts of Coimbra, Aveiro, Viseu, Porto, Vila Real, Braga, and Viana do Castelo.
Snowfall is also expected again above 600–800 meters in the North and Centre, rising to 1,200–1,400 metres as the storm progresses.
Across the country, landslides and flash floods have been reported. In Arcos de Valdevez, a large landslide blocked access from the village of Sistelo to the council seat, with additional roads cut by debris and flooding in the town centre.
In Ponte de Lima, the rising river Lima flooded homes, though no evacuations were necessary. Authorities are closely monitoring the river due to melting snow and heavy rainfall.
In the Azores, the regional civil protection service recorded four incidents on Monday, including two landslides, a fallen tree, and road flooding on São Miguel and Flores islands. No new incidents were reported Tuesday morning.
The storm has also disrupted electricity, with 8,000 customers without power on Tuesday morning. The E-Redes operator reported that around 40,000 households had lost electricity overnight, primarily in Viana do Castelo, but repair crews are actively restoring supply.
Meanwhile, authorities urge citizens to avoid rivers, streams, and flood-prone areas, take care when traveling, and follow updates from civil protection.
