Azores on High Alert: Post-Tropical Storm Gabrielle Packs Hurricane-Force Winds

Cyclone Gabrielle Downgraded but Still Dangerous

Cyclone Gabrielle, which is impacting the Azores, has been downgraded from a Category 1 hurricane to a post-tropical storm, but it retains hurricane-force strength. This change was announced by Rui Andrade, president of the Azores Civil Protection, who emphasized that the situation remains serious.

Current Situation and Precautions

Although the storm is "not as severe as initially expected," concerns persist. Rui Andrade assured that authorities will maintain the same readiness and vigilance to handle the evolving conditions.

The storm began affecting the Azores at 10:00 PM local time (11:00 PM Lisbon time). The Portuguese Institute for the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) predicts the most critical period will occur overnight, particularly between 3:00 AM and 9:00 AM. Heavy rainfall, rough seas, and strong winds are expected, with gusts potentially reaching 200 kilometers per hour.

Impact on Specific Islands

The central island group is forecasted to face the most challenging conditions. Five islands will be directly hit by the storm's eye on Friday morning. On Faial Island, 46 people have been evacuated to safer locations as a precautionary measure.

Overnight, the storm will first pass near the western islands of Flores and Corvo, bringing winds up to 150 km/h. The eastern islands, São Miguel and Santa Maria, will also be affected but with less intensity.

Government and Service Disruptions

In response to these forecasts, the government has declared a state of alert and ordered the closure of all schools and public services in the Western and Central groups. This alert remains in effect until 6:00 PM on Friday.

Additionally, SATA airlines has canceled all inter-island flights in the Azores until 2:00 PM on Friday and has activated its contingency plan to manage disruptions.