Latest news and stories about natural disaster in environment in Portugal for expats and residents.
The Portuguese government is preparing a policy proposal to introduce mandatory home insurance covering natural disasters, aiming to mitigate mounting financial vulnerabilities in the domestic property market amidst escalating climate risks.
Only around 25% of Portugal’s properties and infrastructure are insured against natural disasters, a weakness exposed by a recent week of severe storms. Material damages are still being assessed while major multi-risk insurers — notably Fidelidade, Generali Tranquilidade and Ageas — are accelerating claims handling on the ground. The low insurance penetration highlights underinsurance and significant fiscal and economic exposure, creating both reputational and commercial opportunities for insurers to expand coverage. Analysts say the event underscores the need for faster claims processes, clearer public–private risk-sharing mechanisms, targeted incentives to raise uptake, and investments in resilience and risk mapping as climate-driven extreme weather becomes more frequent.
The tremor was recorded at 10:54 local time (11:54 in Lisbon) and had its epicentre about 20 kilometres northeast of Santa Bárbara.
A glacier broke off, triggered an earthquake and, in seconds, destroyed entire valleys. The disaster in Nepal exposes the threats of global warming, and the Himalayas, Andes, and Alps face risks — though they differ.
The rural fires that affected the municipalities of Vouzela and Valpaços have been officially classified as a natural disaster by the authorities.
The support aims to “restore production conditions for the affected farms and ensure that farmers can resume their normal activity as soon as possible,” says the Minister of Agriculture and Sea.
The Government announced this Thursday that it has recognised the rural fires in Vouzela and Valpaços as a natural disaster and has allocated ten million euros to the affected agricultural holdings. “The scale of the fires is enormous and there are losses that cannot be recovered. We know that no amount of support can replace an old vineyard, a centuries-old olive grove...”
A magnitude 5 earthquake was felt in several cities across the region
A 3.4 magnitude earthquake on the Richter scale was recorded today on Faial Island, in the central group of the Azores, reported the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA).
An analysis of the possibility of a tsunami occurring in Portugal, based on insights and research from Japanese experts.
The tremor was recorded at 18:15 local time (19:15 in Lisbon) and had its epicentre about 11 kilometres north of Bandeiras
The fire, which started in Vouzela and affected four municipalities, burned at least 15,000 hectares of forest. There are various losses in several areas: businesses, agriculture, livestock, and natural heritage.
An overview of safety procedures and recommended actions for the public in the event of seismic activity or a tsunami in Portugal.
Experts warn that the possibility of a tsunami affecting Portugal remains a factor that cannot be ruled out in risk assessments.
Experts warn that a tsunami in the Mediterranean is inevitable, with Portugal facing significant risk.
An hour of intense rain accompanied by hail during the early hours of Monday caused serious damage in Valbom, Pinhel, in the Guarda district.
A 4.6 magnitude earthquake was recorded in the Azores. The Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere revealed that this Sunday, at 12:21 PM (local time), an earthquake of magnitude 4.6 on the Richter scale was recorded, with its epicentre located approximately 6 km south of Santo Antão, on the island of São Jorge.
The earthquake was recorded at 12:21 local time, with its epicentre near Santo Antão, a parish in the municipality of Calheta, on the eastern tip of the Azorean island. It was also felt on Terceira and Pico islands.
The 4.6 magnitude earthquake on the Richter scale was followed by two aftershocks.
100 days have passed since the catastrophe. The Expresso team wants to be at the centre of the recovery. We promise not to forget, we will deliver.
The tremor was recorded in the Lugo region
A 3.2 magnitude earthquake on the Richter scale was felt on Terceira Island. The tremor was recorded at 13:31 local time, approximately 11 km east-northeast of Praia da Vitória. The intensity was moderate at level IV.
The Portuguese Association of Insurers (APS) released the latest data this Thursday regarding the damage caused by the train of storms, which caused destruction in several regions of the country's central zone between January 27 and February 13. So far, 193,000 claims have been filed with insurers, with...
The Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) stated on Thursday, April 9, that the strong wind phenomenon in Vinhais on Tuesday was likely a low-intensity tornado. Meteorologist Jorge Ponte explained that while radar coverage is limited in the region, video evidence suggests a tornado occurred. The event caused significant damage to homes, stables, and trees in the village of Mofreita, with estimated losses between 130,000 and 150,000 euros. The tornado is estimated to have reached speeds of 100 to 150 km/h, potentially classified as EF1 or EF1.5.
The damages to the property, located in Colmeias, Leiria, amount to 100,000 euros.
The tornado that hit the island caused significant damage. It left a trail of destruction across holiday homes, schools, hotels, and a tennis court, which represent one of the most important pillars of the local economy.
A tornado lifted roofs on the island of Porto Santo. The tornado also caused damage to buildings and several floods, at a time when the Madeira archipelago is under a yellow weather warning until this Sunday afternoon.
The state of calamity declared by the Government due to the damage caused by Storm Kristin was published in the Official Gazette, covering the 60 municipalities where the devastation was greatest. In the text, the Government emphasises that, in addition to the irreparable loss of human life, the extreme event caused “significant damage” to homes, critical infrastructure, public facilities, businesses, ...
Minister for economy and territorial cohesion, Castro Almeida, admitted today that damage caused by Storm Kristin is “significantly greater” than the losses recorded in the wildfires of 2024 or 2025. The post Minister concedes damages caused by Kristin “far greater than recent wildfires” appeared first on Portugal Resident.
