Latest news and stories about civil protection in daily life in Portugal for expats and residents.
The Municipal Civil Protection Service of Porto has raised a red alert due to imminent flooding risks along the Douro River, indicating severe weather conditions that could lead to significant emergency situations.
The Government has extended the state of calamity until 8 February and activated the National Civil Protection Emergency Plan nationwide in anticipation of Storm Kristin and other adverse weather expected in the coming days. The measures are intended to pre-emptively mobilise emergency services, coordinate national and local authorities, protect critical infrastructure and streamline relief efforts. The decision reflects elevated forecast risk and highlights priorities for rapid response: targeted resource deployment, clear public guidance, and post-event assessment of vulnerabilities and policy effectiveness.
The government activated the National Civil Protection Emergency Plan (PNEPC) nationwide after an extraordinary, unanimously approved meeting of the National Civil Protection Commission chaired by the Minister of Internal Administration, Maria Lúcia Amaral. The decision responds to forecasts of a worsening risk scenario following Storm Kristin, with heavy rainfall expected to cause significant hydrological impacts — notably floods and inundations — necessitating coordinated national measures to protect people and property.
Commander Jorge Mendes warns that recommendations made after past tragedies—especially on communications and local civil protection—have not been implemented, leaving preparedness plans as paper exercises. CNN Portugal’s commentator adds that the state of calamity was declared too late and highlights serious failures in on‑the‑ground coordination. The reporting points to systemic gaps between policy and practice, and calls for concrete operational reforms and accountability to improve public safety in extreme weather events.
Storm Kristin swept across Portugal, entering near Leiria and causing widespread destruction particularly in the Centre and West. By 22:00 on Wednesday the National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection had logged around 5,400 incidents; high winds uprooted trees, ripped roofs from buildings and disrupted services. Local authorities and Civil Protection have been responding minute-by-minute to damage and casualties, although casualty figures were reported inconsistently during the day. The situation remains dynamic as emergency teams continue operations and meteorological services monitor the depression’s evolution over the coming hours.
Storm Ingrid has caused one death, one injury and displaced 21 people in mainland Portugal, with Civil Protection recording 1,545 incidents between 16:00 on Thursday and 17:00 on Saturday. The fatality occurred in Cadaval. Emergency services remain engaged across affected areas as authorities assess damage and coordinate responses to widespread weather-related disruptions.
Civil Protection director José Manuel Moura has ruled out any illegality in the ad-hoc reinforcement of eight ambulances organised by the Portuguese Firefighters' League over the weekend. After meetings with INEM and the Firefighters' League, Moura attributed the dispute to a communication failure by the League and said the situation created a misunderstanding that must not recur. He insisted that ANEPC (Civil Protection) should be formally involved in future emergency operations to ensure coordination and public safety.
Traffic on National Road (EN) 10 in Vila Franca de Xira (Lisbon) was reopened after authorities halted movement when a section of pavement collapsed and caused a gas leak, the Civil Protection told Lusa. Emergency teams secured the scene, controlled the leak and carried out inspections before resuming traffic; investigations and repairs are ongoing to determine the cause and prevent further disruption.
Portugal is at maximum wildfire risk in over a hundred municipalities. The National Civil Protection Authority has raised readiness to level 2, meaning instructions have been given to increase the number of prevention personnel.
Many pilgrims are on their way to the Sanctuary of Fátima for the May 12th and 13th celebrations. Along the route, there are assistance points provided by Civil Protection and Red Cross personnel.
On Tuesday, 24 March 2026, Lisbon will test four tsunami sirens along its waterfront. The exercise, named 'Lisbon Wave 26', will take place between 10:30 and 12:00, with sirens sounding every half hour and broadcasting voice messages in Portuguese and English. Lisbon Mayor Carlos Moedas stated that the initiative aims to strengthen the city's emergency preparedness against natural risks. Civil Protection officials advised that in the event of an earthquake, citizens should move away from the waterfront to higher ground, even without an official alert, and remain vigilant for signs such as receding water.
The National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority warns of persistent rain, strong winds, and rising water levels until at least Sunday, with several rivers on alert. The National Emergency Plan, 77 municipal plans, and over 11,000 operatives are mobilised.
Minister Paulo Rangel said that activation of the European emergency mechanism 'depends on technical rules and on a technical assessment'.
Commander Paulo Santos says there are teams of operatives deployed in several parts of the country to respond to the worsening weather conditions that will affect the national territory from the early hours.
Mainland Portugal recorded 1,420 incidents related to bad weather up to 22:30 on Monday, which mainly affected the Centro region and Lisbon and the Tagus Valley, a Civil Protection source told Lusa.
A man died while repairing a roof in Porto de Mós. There have been 10 deaths as a result of the severe weather. Civil protection recorded almost 12,000 incidents since the arrival of Storm Kristin.
The man died after falling from a roof he was repairing in Porto de Mós. Civil Protection has recorded nearly 12,000 incidents from the arrival of Storm Kristin up to mid‑afternoon today.
An explanation of how Portugal's National Civil Protection Command functions in real life, resembling scenes from films but grounded in real procedures and coordination.
The Interior Minister admits she does not know what went wrong in the assistance and cooperation with firefighters and on-the-ground authorities in the aftermath of Storm Kristin.
The Armed Forces have over 1,000 military personnel deployed on the ground to provide direct support to the public, along with 211 vehicles and 12 pieces of emergency communications equipment, the General Staff of the Armed Forces (EMGFA) announced today.
The most serious incident is a crane collapsing onto five buildings in Figueira da Foz. There are no injuries, but six people have been displaced. The President will also meet Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican.
Civil Protection activated the plan because worsening weather and increased risk to people and property were forecast. Also, six people had to be re-housed after a crane collapse in Figueira da Foz.
Most were related to adverse weather in the central region and Lisbon. Also in this bulletin, the National Civil Protection Emergency Plan was activated nationwide.
Ana Miguel dos Santos calls for a paradigm shift in Civil Protection, emphasising that the current model was designed for a reality that no longer exists. The expert warns of the need for a single, clear line of communication and for the active involvement of citizens, reminding that 'the citizen is part of the response' in situations of risk.
The president of the Portuguese Firefighters' League, António Nunes, criticises the lack of integration of available capabilities in disaster response and highlights failures in the civil protection system. The analyst emphasises that, in the first hours, many communities are cut off and that the response should be treated as national rather than just local.
The president of the Portuguese Firefighters' League, António Nunes, calls for a far‑reaching review of the civil protection model, emphasising the need for a single chain of command and greater integration of the Armed Forces. He also warns of the importance of responsible behaviour by the public in risk situations, reminding that “the citizen is part of the response”.
The National Civil Protection Emergency Plan was activated at 00:00.
The decision was taken unanimously at the meeting of the National Civil Protection Commission, chaired by the Minister of Internal Administration. Additionally, Seguro says that Ventura is a risk to democracy.
Home News Armed Forces deploying on the ground Armed Forces deploying on the ground The Armed Forces have more than 1,000 soldiers deployed on the ground to provide direct support to the population, in addition to 211 vehicles and 12 emergency communications systems, the General Staff of the Arme
In the parish of Colmeias, in Leiria, a family complains of a lack of assistance from Civil Protection. CNN Portugal reporter Gonçalo Nuno Cabral visited a completely destroyed house to hear the complaints of people who feel abandoned by the authorities responsible for protecting the population.
