At Least Five Killed After Storm Kristin Hits Portugal
At least five people have tragically lost their lives following the onslaught of Storm Kristin, which ravaged central and northern Portugal, unleashing severe flooding, landslides, and extensive damage. The government has labeled this event an extreme climatic occurrence, resulting in schools closing, buildings suffering significant damage, and travel across the region being severely disrupted.
Impact of Storm Kristin
– In Figueira da Foz, a coastal city, an overturned Ferris wheel and damaged vehicles were reported after part of a building’s roof was ripped away.
– The country has recently faced multiple storms, with the latest over the weekend claiming a life as a man was swept away in floodwaters.
– Storm Kristin generated heavy rainfall and wind gusts reaching up to 150 km/h (95 mph), leading to over 3,000 weather-related incidents nationwide, as reported by civil protection authorities.
– Several individuals suffered injuries from falling trees and debris.
– The highest wind speed recorded was at Monte Real air base in Leiria, peaking at 178 km/h before the measuring equipment was destroyed, indicating it was likely the storm’s point of entry into Portugal.
Widespread Power Outages
– On Wednesday, more than 850,000 residents experienced power outages, according to E-Redes, the electricity distributor.
Fatalities and Damage Reports
– The civil protection agency (ANEPC) stated that three of the fatalities occurred in the central district of Leiria, a region heavily impacted by the storm.
– A man in Leiria was injured by a metal sheet, while another individual was trapped within a collapsed structure.
– Local reports confirmed that a man in Vila Franca de Xira died after a tree fell on his car, with additional casualties reported in the Marinha Grande area.
Travel Disruptions and Warnings
– Significant travel disruptions affected transport throughout Portugal, with roads—including major motorways connecting Lisbon and the north—blocked by debris.
– Ten coastal regions were under a red weather warning on Wednesday due to perilous sea conditions, with wave heights predicted to reach up to 14 meters (45 feet, 11 inches), as indicated by the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA).
– The Public Security Police (PSP) advised residents in Coimbra and Leiria to remain indoors, while Portugal’s Secretary of State for Civil Protection confirmed that the country was on maximum alert.
Government Response and Ongoing Threats
– Prime Minister Luis Montenegro expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and stated that authorities are actively evaluating the damage and are prepared to implement necessary measures.
– Leiria’s mayor, Goncalo Lopes, has called for the government to declare a state of emergency, stating, “We have public spaces turned upside down. It’s something that will require extensive recovery efforts in the coming months, resembling the devastation caused by a bomb.”
Aftermath in Spain
After its passage through Portugal, Storm Kristin moved eastward into Spain, bringing with it snow, rain, and strong winds. The storm continued to disrupt everyday life, closing schools, roads, and train services, leaving hundreds of thousands without power. In Andalusia, emergency services reported around 2,000 weather-related incidents. Spain’s national weather agency, AEMET, issued warnings of dangerously strong winds, likened to hurricane force, with a red weather alert declared for select areas of Almeria in the southeast.
As the situation develops, these dire events underscore the ferocity of Storm Kristin and its significant impact on Portugal and beyond.