Latest news and stories about flood risk in environment in Portugal for expats and residents.
The initiative aims to “analyse the flood episodes recently recorded in the Mondego river basin” and promote technical reflection on “flood risk management in Portugal”.
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According to the commander of Civil Protection, there is a “significant risk of flooding in the Mondego, Tejo, Sorraia, Vouga, Águeda, and Sado rivers” and “the risk of flooding also exists in the Minho, Coura, Lima, Cávado, Ave, Douro, Tâmega, Sousa, Liz, Nabão, and Guadiana rivers.”
Civil Protection is urging caution for populations in flood risk areas, with the Mondego region being the most concerning for authorities. Here, we provide minute-by-minute updates on the weather conditions in Portugal.
Civil Protection urges the public to stay away from riverbanks due to the high risk of flooding.
The National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority has issued a warning about potential flooding risks near major rivers due to ongoing heavy rainfall expected to last until Wednesday. In response, the municipalities of Coimbra, Soure, and Montemor-o-Velho have activated evacuation plans affecting over 3,000 residents. Additionally, the political landscape has shifted with the resignation of the Minister of Internal Administration, which has been accepted by the President of the Republic.
Civil Protection has issued a warning about the risk of flooding throughout the country, affecting both riverside areas and urban zones, in a report made this Tuesday regarding the severe weather that continues to impact the territory. “The main concern is the heavy rainfall,” stated the National Commander of Civil Protection, Mário Silvestre.
The National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority warns of a flood risk near the country's main rivers due to persistent rain expected until Wednesday.
Authorities warn the public about the risk of flooding.
The National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority warns of river flows in the Tagus that could reach levels not seen since 1997, due to discharges from Spanish dams. With thousands of incidents and dozens of affected areas, Commander Mário Silvestre urges people to avoid flooded areas and evacuate at-risk homes.
Commander Paulo Santos explains that all resources are mobilised, but warns of a high risk of flooding due to soil saturation and dam discharges. The commander also calls for the preventive removal of goods and vehicles, especially in flood-prone areas and low urban areas.
The APA noted that, despite an unprecedented crisis, they have been able to 'manage the situation'.
The coming days are not expected to bring an extreme scenario, but the low-pressure system forecast for Sunday still warrants attention: although it no longer appears set to track directly over mainland Portugal, it should pass to the north of the Iberian Peninsula and influence the weather.
The Coruche municipal council has activated the Municipal Emergency and Civil Protection Plan following Storm Kristin, which brought heavy rainfall and a sharp rise in levels of the Sorraia River, increasing the risk of flooding and inundation.
The settlement lies between the central channel of the Mondego River and the so-called abandoned riverbed. Water in the surrounding fields has risen by about one metre since Monday morning.
As periods of heavy rain forecast for the coming days approach, concern is growing over the discharges being made from dams. In Torres Novas, CNN Portugal reporter António Pereira Gonçalves reports that water has completely submerged a road in the parish of Riachos.
Residents of Formoselha, in the municipality of Montemor-o-Velho in the Coimbra district, are worried about the risk of flooding in the Baixo Mondego, even though they say such events are already commonplace.
Commander Luís Martins warns that Storm Leonardo will bring another 'difficult period' in terms of weather, with forecast rain and strong winds and a risk of flooding. In this scenario, the CNN Portugal commentator offers advice to minimise the consequences of the new storm.
António Pereira Gonçalves, live from the Castelo de Bode dam, reports a “rare” moment, according to the CNN journalist: “the four spillways are open”, at a time when the dam's level is at 117 metres but could still reach 123.
Ana Paula Mota, mayor of Álcacer do Sal, says there is no one living in the houses close to the river that could be flooded as a result of the bad weather.
Environment Minister Maria da Graça Carvalho singles out the River Mondego as the biggest concern in Portugal. She nevertheless says the authorities are ready to respond.
José Pimenta Machado, president of the APA, explains what the biggest concerns are at this time as new storms approach.
Authorities in Alcácer do Sal report a 'brutal' and rapid rise in the Sado river's flow but say the situation remains under control. Civil Protection is monitoring conditions, has evacuation plans ready should riverside areas flood, and expects the flow to rise slightly more before beginning a slower fall from around 04:00—timing that will depend on further rainfall and dam management decisions. Updates will hinge on precipitation forecasts and operational releases from upstream infrastructure.
Coimbra authorities will begin preparing measures to prevent a potential evacuation after water releases at the Aguieira dam, the mayor told Lusa. Officials will closely monitor river levels and conditions to assess whether evacuation of people and animals becomes necessary and to coordinate public-safety and emergency-response actions if flood risk increases.