Leiria, Portugal
Latest news and stories from Figueiró dos Vinhos.
Almost three months after the low-pressure system Kristin, problems with internet and television access continue in the north of the Leiria district, according to the mayor of that municipality.
Despite the commitment and help from the Army, the Figueiró dos Vinhos municipality is not expected to have more than 70 to 75% of its 264 kilometres of forest roads and paths passable by the start of summer.
With the help of two sponsors who appeared on 'Olá, Bom Dia!' this Monday, the family whose house was destroyed by the storm will receive assistance.
The applications correspond to a total value of 210 million euros.
Engineering detachments in Figueiró dos Vinhos and Vila de Rei; and starting Monday also in Sertã.
The public forest management company Florestgal has been without a president for over a year, and its remaining board of directors has been in a caretaker capacity for more than two years. Based in Figueiró dos Vinhos and created following the 2017 wildfires, the company has lacked leadership since José de Jesus Gaspar resigned in January 2025. The remaining board members, Cândida Pestana and Maria Azevedo e Silva, have continued in their roles despite their mandates expiring in 2023. The Ministry of Agriculture and the Secretariat of State for Forests have provided no explanation for the delay in appointing a new board. The company, which manages over 15,000 hectares of forest, has seen multiple leadership changes since its inception, including the dismissal of former president Rui Gonçalves in 2022 and the departure of its first leader, José Miguel Medeiros, in 2021.
The mayor and the fire chief of Figueiró dos Vinhos are requesting the Army's intervention to help clear forest paths and clean forests in light of the increased fire risk caused by storm Kristin.
The defendant was arrested by the GNR for serious physical assault against his ex-partner. The man inflicted three stab wounds on the victim, with whom he had been in a relationship for two years.
The 42-year-old defendant was arrested on Monday as part of an investigation into domestic violence.
The festivities of the Figueiró dos Vinhos Carnival were cancelled due to the state of calamity. Municipal swimming pools will open so residents can bathe.
All human and logistical resources have been channelled towards supporting affected communities, the municipality stresses. This is intended to minimise, as far as possible, the serious damage caused by the storm.
Around 440 homes require immediate intervention to their roofs in the municipality of Figueiró dos Vinhos, in the district of Leiria, the mayor, Carlos Lopes, told the Lusa news agency today.
The mayor explained that covering the roofs of these homes, which are located in every parish of the municipality, has been one of the priorities.
Carlos Lopes, mayor of Figueiró dos Vinhos, met with residents who were severely affected by Storm Kristin.
A storm lasting around four hours caused damage in the municipality of Figueiró dos Vinhos. The armed forces have been deployed to assist with repair and recovery efforts, helping clear debris, restore infrastructure and support affected residents.
Military personnel went to collect tarpaulins from the north of the country.
Residents of the village, which has around 25 inhabitants, are unable to contact their relatives.
The Mayor says the military should be on the ground assisting the local population, who are trying to repair damage to houses and roofs.
The Armed Forces have made generators available to the municipality of Figueiró dos Vinhos.
Without giving a concrete number of military personnel for this type of operation, the Minister of Defence said that “hundreds or thousands, if necessary”, would be available.
The wind unleashed hell in Figueiró dos Vinhos. Roofs were blown off, centuries-old trees were toppled, and cars were wrecked. There, in that village in the Leiria district, only the people remain, enduring a devastating scene.
The municipality, like many others, has been left without electricity, without communications and, in some parishes, without water. Problems are expected in holding the presidential elections, and significant flooding is anticipated.
Surrounded and feeling abandoned, residents of Figueiró dos Vinhos lament being 'forgotten'. The wind tore off roofs, flooded homes and many, especially the elderly, remain isolated, unable to call for help or seek it. Not even the cemetery was spared. 'It looked like war.'
The mayor of the central Portuguese municipality Figueiró dos Vinhos says residents are 'completely desperate' and is urgently appealing for assistance amid a serious situation.
The municipality in the Leiria district is “completely isolated”, with no communications or electricity after the passage of Storm Kristin.
The mayor of Figueiró dos Vinhos, in the district of Leiria, on Thursday asked for help and for the declaration of a state of calamity, warning that the municipality, due to bad weather, is “living through one of the worst moments in its history.” “I'm calling from the firefighters' satellite phone because, in fact, we have no communications. No network ...”
According to the mayor, the council area has “a trail of destruction throughout the territory”.
The mayor says there is 'a trail of destruction throughout the territory'.
The mayor of Figueiró dos Vinhos, in the Leiria district, today asked for help and for a declaration of calamity, warning that the municipality, because of the bad weather, is “living through one of the worst moments in its history”.
