Lisbon Unveils 86 Emergency Meeting Points for Disaster Preparedness

Lisbon's New Emergency Meeting Points

As of this Wednesday, Lisbon has established 86 emergency meeting points across various neighborhoods, designed to accommodate over 600,000 people. These locations aim to provide residents with safe gathering spots in the event of disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis, fires, and floods.

Carlos Moedas, the Mayor of Lisbon, emphasized that the initiative had been in progress before the recent earthquake in August, which particularly affected the Lisbon and Setúbal regions. In cooperation with local parish councils and the Municipal Civil Protection Service, these sites were identified as safe havens where citizens can wait with their emergency kits until help arrives.

Criteria for Selection

The selection process for these meeting points involved a thorough analysis of various risk factors. Margarida Castro Martins, Director of the Municipal Civil Protection Service, explained that considerations included soil characteristics, susceptibility to earthquakes and floods, explosion risks, and proximity to essential emergency infrastructure. The population density and accessibility for rescue services were also important factors.

Soon, the meeting points will feature specific signage for easy identification, distinct from the tsunami refuge signs already present in riverside areas since the beginning of the year.

Introducing LxReSist: A New Online Platform

In addition to the meeting points, the Municipal Council has launched LxReSist, an online platform and mobile application designed to enhance seismic resilience. Initiated in response to the August earthquake, LxReSist provides guidance on minimizing earthquake impacts and allows citizens to assess their buildings' seismic vulnerabilities based on age and location. This tool aims to encourage residents to take preventive measures, such as hiring specialized engineers for structural reinforcement.

Carlos Moedas noted that with LxReSist, residents now have personalized information regarding their buildings and emergency procedures, with plans for the platform to be available in multiple languages due to the high number of tourists visiting Lisbon.

Ongoing Infrastructure Improvements

Regarding drainage works initiated after the heavy rains in December 2022, Moedas reported that the €150 million project is currently halfway completed. This is the largest project undertaken by the council aimed at mitigating flood risks in the city.

As for the seismic resistance of municipal buildings, preliminary evaluations indicate that 5% to 10% of over 1,400 buildings assessed require structural reinforcement. Furthermore, more than 700 engineers have been trained to address seismic risks, and approximately 2,500 emergency kits have been distributed to schools throughout Lisbon.

Since 2022, two tsunami warning sirens have been installed, with plans for an additional eight sirens in the coming years to enhance the city's preparedness for potential natural disasters.

Emergency Alert System

The Municipal Civil Protection Service also offers an SMS alert service to inform residents about emergencies and safety recommendations. Citizens can subscribe by sending a message with the text “AVISOSLX” to 927 944 000.

With the establishment of these meeting points, the launch of LxReSist, and ongoing drainage and building reinforcement projects, Lisbon is actively working to bolster its disaster resilience, ensuring a swift and organized response to protect its population and infrastructure.