A source for IPMA, the country’s meteorological institute, has confirmed that radar images of the extreme wind phenomenon in Albufeira this morning “indicate a very high probability that it was a tornado”.
As the above image, posted by mayor Rui Cristina shows, the devastation at the town’s campsite is “truly devastating”.
Writing over social media, the mayor says: “From the outset, I have been monitoring the situation caused by the windstorm that hit our municipality. Today, I visited the most affected areas, including the campsite, where the scene is truly devastating. There are reports of several injuries and one fatality, an 86-year-old British national. On behalf of myself and the municipality, I offer my deepest condolences to the family and friends. We are working with all municipal resources and civil protection agencies to support the victims and restore safety and normality as quickly as possible”.
Images from the devastated campsite certainly suggest the force of a tornado.
Meantime, images of flooding and general destruction are filling social media, and being widely broadcast over the lunchtime news.
There has even been the suggestion of another tornado, in Viseu (photo below). Again, the phenomenon is being analysed. It could have been either a tornado, or a ‘downburst’, suggest weather experts. Either way, it is extremely unusual for Portugal.
This depression is said to be easing – but the next few hours could still bring further ‘phenomena’. IPMA meteorologist Paula Leitão explains there is “a lot of activity over the sea”, but that does not mean it will reach the land. This kind of ‘activity’ can provoke sudden/ unexpected phenomena, she told Lusa, but it is impossible to predict when and where they could occur.
That said, the effects of persistent rain and high winds are being felt all over the region, and elsewhere in the country.
Hundreds of incidents were called in overnight, with areas in the north also badly affected.
In Vila do Conde (image above), Ribeira da Lage burst its banks, leading to widespread flooding and damages to homes and property. A number of roads were also impassable.
As the worst effects of Claudia are behind us, Civil Protection continues to warn people about rough seas, which will continue into next week.
