Latest news and stories about emergency response in culture in Portugal for expats and residents.
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The faces of those who held the country together. During the month that devastated Portugal, some worked non-stop to restore normality to the country. In the case of Filipa Carretas, this meant creating a volunteer network from scratch capable of reaching where help was needed most.
Portugal faced severe challenges from January 28 to February 15, 2026, due to successive storms that revealed the country's vulnerabilities and lack of preparedness for such crises. The government introduced the Portugal Transformation, Recovery and Resilience Programme (PTRR) as a response, but questions arose about the state's absence during critical moments. Despite past crises, including wildfires and floods, lasting solutions were not implemented. Immediate and concrete measures are needed, including support for farmers, toll exemptions, and property tax relief in affected areas. The government’s reluctance to adopt a Rectifying Budget is criticized, as billions in losses threaten businesses and families. The PTRR must translate into real action, and a permanent disaster response fund is essential to avoid starting from scratch after each storm. The article emphasizes the need for political courage and a commitment to support those affected, arguing that the state must not fail its citizens during crises.
Approximately 1,800 customers of E-Redes in areas affected by storm Kristin remained without electricity as of 5:00 PM on February 22. The EDP group company stated it is focused on restoring electricity supply. Earlier, 4,500 customers were reported without power. The storms have caused significant damage, resulting in 18 fatalities and affecting 90,000 students due to school closures. The Central, Lisbon and Tagus Valley, and Alentejo regions were the most impacted, with estimated damages in Seixal around 15 million euros.
