Latest news and stories about flood risk 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”.
The planned Luís de Camões airport is situated on flood-prone land along the Tagus River, raising concerns about its viability and safety. The site is the most expensive option, potentially costing the state between 25 billion and 35 billion euros. Recent storms have highlighted the risks associated with this location, prompting experts like Paulino Pereira to suggest relocating the airport to safer areas such as Rio Frio, Montijo, or Alcochete. Engineering solutions to mitigate flooding risks would require significant earth movement, making the project even more costly and complicating access routes, which are also vulnerable to flooding.
The controlled discharge from the Aguieira Dam has raised the Mondego’s level and increased the likelihood of a centennial-level flood in central Coimbra. Several railway links and roads are already affected, with transport disruptions and infrastructure at risk. Local authorities and emergency services are monitoring the river closely, issuing advisories and managing responses; residents and travellers are advised to follow minute-by-minute updates as flood forecasts and dam releases evolve. The situation poses short-term travel, safety and logistical challenges and will require coordinated emergency and transport management if levels continue to rise.
Home News Coimbra prepares for a “100-year flood” Coimbra prepares for a “100-year flood” Ana Abrunhosa, the mayor of Coimbra, warns of the possibility of a “100-year flood” on the Mondego River. By Bruno G.
The Navy has 47 boats “ready and positioned” to provide immediate support to the population in riverside areas at risk of flooding, announced this branch of the Armed Forces today.
Civil Protection has issued warnings for flood-risk areas, particularly in the Mondego region, following the collapse of part of the A1 motorway pavement near the Mondego River. The incident occurred after a dyke failure, leading to the closure of the motorway in both directions. Authorities are monitoring the situation closely as additional subsidence has been reported due to landslides.
Civil Protection has urged caution to populations in flood risk areas, with the Mondego region being the main concern for authorities. We are providing live updates on the weather situation in Portugal.
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 has urged caution to populations in flood risk areas, with the Mondego region being the most concerning for authorities. We are providing live updates on the weather situation in Portugal.
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.
Flooding of the Mondego River will also necessitate the closure of several schools in the municipality.
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.
Viseu, Porto, Vila Real, Viana do Castelo, Aveiro, and Braga will be under an orange warning on Tuesday due to 'persistent and sometimes heavy' rain until 6 PM, as reported by the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere. Civil Protection warns of the risk of flooding, as river levels are at maximum capacity.
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 Luís Martins explains that the fire brigades are focused on prevention, with direct alerts to populations in flood-prone areas to remove belongings and vehicles. With saturated soils and forecasts of heavy rain, the commentator from CNN Portugal admits that this Wednesday and Thursday “will be complicated.”
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 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.
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.
Following post-depression Kristin, the Government has declared a state of calamity for 60 municipalities as Civil Protection warns of an elevated flood risk in the coming days. The measure centralises resources and fast‑tracks emergency funding, placing urgent demands on local services for evacuation planning, infrastructure inspections and continuous minute-by-minute weather monitoring. Authorities urge residents to follow official updates, prepare for possible evacuations and heed flood warnings as forecasts evolve.
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.