At least five people have died after Storm Kristin tore through central and northern Portugal, causing flooding, landslides, and widespread damage. The storm was described by the government as an extreme climatic event that forced schools to close, damaged buildings, and severely disrupted travel across the nation.
In the coastal city of Figueira da Foz, a Ferris wheel was overturned and vehicles were struck when part of a building's roof was torn off. This storm is part of a series of severe weather events hitting Portugal, including one over the weekend that ended tragically for a man whose car was swept away in floods.
Heavy rain combined with wind gusts reaching 150 km/h caused over 3,000 incidents reported by civil protection authorities, with several people injured by falling trees and debris. The strongest winds recorded at the Monte Real air base reached 178 km/h, indicating the storm's severe impact as it made landfall.
More than 850,000 people experienced power outages, as recovery efforts began amidst the ongoing adverse weather conditions. The civil protection agency has reported three fatalities in the Leiria district, and local media noted additional deaths in Vila Franca de Xira and Marinha Grande.
Transportation has been heavily affected, with major roadways and railways blocked by debris, as coastal areas received red weather warnings due to dangerous sea conditions with forecasted waves up to 14 meters tall. Prime Minister Luis Montenegro has expressed condolences to the victims' families and emphasized ongoing assessments of the damage.
The storm's impact has been described as comparable to that of a bomb by local officials, necessitating significant recovery efforts going forward. After impacting Portugal, Storm Kristin continued eastward into Spain, leading to further weather-related disruptions. Spain's national weather agency has issued warnings for strong winds and a red alert for parts of Almeria.
In the coastal city of Figueira da Foz, a Ferris wheel was overturned and vehicles were struck when part of a building's roof was torn off. This storm is part of a series of severe weather events hitting Portugal, including one over the weekend that ended tragically for a man whose car was swept away in floods.
Heavy rain combined with wind gusts reaching 150 km/h caused over 3,000 incidents reported by civil protection authorities, with several people injured by falling trees and debris. The strongest winds recorded at the Monte Real air base reached 178 km/h, indicating the storm's severe impact as it made landfall.
More than 850,000 people experienced power outages, as recovery efforts began amidst the ongoing adverse weather conditions. The civil protection agency has reported three fatalities in the Leiria district, and local media noted additional deaths in Vila Franca de Xira and Marinha Grande.
Transportation has been heavily affected, with major roadways and railways blocked by debris, as coastal areas received red weather warnings due to dangerous sea conditions with forecasted waves up to 14 meters tall. Prime Minister Luis Montenegro has expressed condolences to the victims' families and emphasized ongoing assessments of the damage.
The storm's impact has been described as comparable to that of a bomb by local officials, necessitating significant recovery efforts going forward. After impacting Portugal, Storm Kristin continued eastward into Spain, leading to further weather-related disruptions. Spain's national weather agency has issued warnings for strong winds and a red alert for parts of Almeria.
