Severe Storm Chaos in Portugal: 70 Emergency Calls, Flooded Roads, and Elderly Rescue in Porto

Widespread Weather Incidents Across Northern Portugal

The National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection (ANEPC) recorded 70 weather-related incidents between midnight and 7:00 AM this Friday, primarily involving public road flooding and structural damage, with the majority concentrated in the northern regions of the country.

Impact on Traffic and Infrastructure

Severe weather conditions led to flooding, fallen trees, and road closures. By mid-morning, traffic circulation was reopened in the tunnels at Bessa and AEP roundabouts and Campo Alegre in Porto. However, the exit from the Via de Cintura Interna (VCI) to Boavista remained restricted, according to a PSP source speaking to Lusa.

Due to public road flooding, traffic was also cut on other city routes, including Avenida Antunes Guimarães, but these situations were quickly resolved, added the source from the Public Relations of the PSP Metropolitan Command of Porto. A source from the Porto City Council told Lusa that the most critical incident occurred on the Via de Cintura Interna, where an elderly woman had to be rescued.

Breakdown of Incidents and Response

Between 8:00 PM on Thursday and 7:00 AM today, about 70 incidents were recorded, mostly involving flooding on public roads and structural collapses, with no major damages reported. The peak of incidents occurred around 6:00 AM.

José Costa, operations officer at ANEPC, stated to Observador: "We had 68 incidents, the majority of which were flooding of public roads and structures in the Metropolitan Area of Porto, without causing victims or serious damage due to the rain and adverse meteorology."

Of the recorded incidents:

• 59 were public road and structural floods
• 3 were fallen trees
• 2 were road cleanups
• 4 were mass movements

Most incidents were registered in the Metropolitan Area of Porto, with the remainder spread across the Ave and Cávado regions. According to José Costa, 105 operational personnel were deployed, supported by 35 vehicles. The remaining incidents were recorded in Alto Minho, Cávado, and Tâmega Sousa.

Weather Warnings and Regional Impact

Orange and Yellow Warnings in Effect

Fifteen districts on the mainland are affected by persistent and sometimes heavy precipitation until Saturday, with seven under an orange warning, as indicated by the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA).

Districts under orange warning due to persistent and sometimes heavy precipitation:

• Aveiro, Bragança, Vila Real, Viseu, Guarda, Coimbra, and Leiria

Districts under yellow warning due to heavy rain:

• Braga, Viana do Castelo, Porto, Castelo Branco, Portalegre, Santarém, Lisbon, and Setúbal

Detailed Warning Timelines

• Bragança and Vila Real: Orange warning from early Friday afternoon until 6:00 AM Saturday, then yellow until 9:00 AM.
• Aveiro, Coimbra, Viseu, and Leiria: Orange until 9:00 AM Saturday, then yellow until noon.
• Guarda: Orange until noon Saturday, then yellow until 3:00 PM.
• Braga and Viana do Castelo: Yellow until 9:00 PM Friday, then orange until 3:00 AM, returning to yellow until 6:00 AM.
• Porto: Yellow until 9:00 PM Friday, then orange until 6:00 AM, and yellow again until 9:00 AM Saturday.
• Castelo Branco: Yellow until 6:00 AM Saturday, then orange until noon, and yellow from noon to 3:00 PM.
• Lisbon and Santarém: Yellow until 6:00 AM Saturday, then orange until noon.
• Lisbon: Returns to yellow from noon to 3:00 PM Saturday.
• Portalegre: Yellow until 9:00 PM Friday and again from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM Saturday.
• Setúbal: Yellow until 9:00 PM Friday and from 6:00 AM to 3:00 PM Saturday.

Maritime Conditions

The districts of Porto, Viana do Castelo, Braga, Aveiro, Lisbon, Coimbra, and Leiria are also under a yellow warning until 9:00 PM Friday due to maritime agitation, with waves reaching four meters in significant height.

IPMA warnings—red, orange, and yellow—are issued when there is a meteorological risk situation, assessed as high, moderate, or low risk. Additionally, the Public Security Police (PSP) warned drivers on Thursday about the bad weather forecast for the coming days, which increases the risk of road accidents.