Portugal declared a nationwide alert ahead of Storm Charles, with schools and nonessential public services set to close Wednesday as authorities urged residents to stay home. (Foto: Instagram)
Portugal declared a nationwide alert on Tuesday, Nov. 10, ahead of Storm Charles. Schools and nonessential public services are to close Wednesday, Nov. 11, while parks, forests, and gardens will also shut. Outdoor activities have been suspended. Authorities urged residents to avoid going out as heavy rain and winds of up to 140 km/h are forecast.
“It will be an exceptional day. There will be incidents. It will be serious,” said Luís Neves, Portugal’s minister of internal administration. The government is also considering closing bridges if wind gusts reach approximately 150 km/h. The forecast suggests the storm’s center could pass through the Greater Lisbon area, though the Portuguese Institute for the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) said the system’s path remains uncertain.
The IPMA issued its highest-level, red alert for eight districts on mainland Portugal: Leiria, Santarém, Lisbon, Setúbal, Portalegre, Évora, Beja, and Faro. In Setúbal, Beja, and Faro, the warning is scheduled to run from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday. The other five districts are under the alert from noon to 9 p.m. Madeira is also under a red alert for expected rain, from 9 p.m. Tuesday until 6 a.m. Wednesday.
The Portuguese Environment Agency warned of possible flooding in 101 municipalities, with particular concern in the Algarve, the western region, small streams, and urban areas. Agency president José Pimenta Machado said reservoirs still have room for the expected rainfall and that the ground is not saturated. The greater concern, he said, is flooding in cities.
The National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority activated its highest state of readiness across the country. Police, the armed forces, emergency medical services, and civil protection teams have been mobilized to respond to incidents, pump water from flooded areas, and clear roads. Authorities also warned that the storm could disrupt electricity and communications.
Portugal is still dealing with the effects of Storm Bruna. In Lisbon, firefighters recorded 131 weather-related incidents between midnight and 6 a.m. Tuesday, most involving flooding in homes and public spaces. Three trees fell, with no injuries or property damage reported. Sections of the Segunda Circular, Campo Grande, Prior Velho, and Olivais roads were temporarily closed but had reopened, according to firefighters. Civil protection officials said they would publish a summary of overnight impacts.
Authorities advised residents to avoid unnecessary travel and stay home while Storm Charles passes. They also urged people to stay away from parks, forests, and gardens. Residents were advised to keep flashlights and other backup lighting available and to charge portable batteries in case of power outages.
