Political leaders 'did not grasp the scale of what had happened' in the first 24 hours

Saturday, 31 January 2026RSS
Political leaders 'did not grasp the scale of what had happened' in the first 24 hours

Miguel Pinheiro, a CNN Portugal commentator, says it 'makes complete sense' for the President of the Republic to visit the areas affected by Storm Kristin.

Context & Explainers

Storm Kristin

Storm Kristin was a named Atlantic storm that struck Portugal in late 2024, bringing heavy rainfall, strong winds (gusts exceeding 100 km/h in some areas), and significant coastal wave action. The storm caused widespread flooding, roof collapses, fallen trees, and power outages across several districts.

IPMA issued orange and red warnings for affected regions, and ANEPC activated emergency response plans. The impact was particularly severe in flood-prone areas of the Lisbon metropolitan area and the Tagus and Mondego river basins, where drainage systems were overwhelmed.

Storm Kristin highlighted recurring vulnerabilities in Portugal's infrastructure during extreme weather events — including urban drainage capacity, riverbank management, and the need for updated emergency response coordination. Residents in storm-affected areas were advised to follow civil protection guidance, avoid coastal zones and riverbanks, and report damage through municipal services.

View full article on cnnportugal.iol.pt

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