Following the recent series of storms that hit Portugal, questions and criticisms arose regarding the SMS alerts sent to the population. Elísio Oliveira, Regional Commander for Emergency and Civil Protection, explains that these messages are subject to strict limitations, including a 160-character limit, authorization from the National Data Protection Commission, and constraints on the frequency of dispatches. The commander emphasizes the need for greater public awareness and a change in behavior, noting that despite warnings, many people still approach coastal areas during dangerous sea conditions.
Preparing for conflicts does not just mean investing in military defence. It also means investing in civil protection, emergency planning, and the resilience of health systems. Opinion by Tiago Correia.
The appointment of Luís Neves to the Ministry of Internal Administration is primarily a gesture of political intelligence by Prime Minister Luís Montenegro. Not only does the former National Director of the Judicial Police (PJ) have a deep understanding of the state's most sensitive dossiers, but his nomination also breaks a trend followed by the government over the past two years: the temptation to adopt the security rhetoric that has characterised Chega's discourse, particularly regarding immigration. Luís Neves' entry into the government signifies a change in direction and a renewed focus on effectiveness and implementation. It is worth recalling a moment from 2025 when Neves, then the National Director of the PJ, asserted that there is no causal relationship between increased immigration and rising crime, a statement that contradicted the prevailing narrative in public debate. Today, this same stance is expected to take centre stage in internal security policy. Although Neves has never been a formal politician, he has demonstrated qualities of a competent politician, such as clarity, sobriety, and a remarkable ability to build bridges between people and entities that do not always understand each other. This ability will be tested in his greatest challenge: reforming Civil Protection. It is not enough to revise laws; it is essential to ensure that the system operates effectively on the ground and that entities like firefighters, security forces, the Agency for the Integrated Management of Rural Fires, the Portuguese Environment Agency, and the Armed Forces communicate and act with a common purpose. Additionally, he faces critical tasks such as managing the fight against wildfires and replacing the controversial SIRESP communication system, which has proven to work only when it is not needed. What is expected of Luís Neves is to replicate in the Ministry of Internal Administration what he accomplished in the PJ over two decades: to build coherent strategies, unite teams that were not initially inclined to cooperate, and instil public confidence that the state can handle the crises it faces. In a ministry where public perception is as important as operational effectiveness, the ability to communicate calmness and precision may prove as decisive as any structural reform. The only potential issue with this choice is that Luís Neves arrives at the Ministry of Internal Administration with exceptionally high expectations, which could be counterproductive. The future will reveal whether he can meet these expectations in a role that has been particularly challenging in recent years.
The article discusses the urgent need for regionalisation in Portugal, highlighting how recent severe weather events have exposed the country's vulnerabilities due to an excessively centralised governance model. It argues that the lack of administrative regions creates a governance void that hampers effective civil protection, resource management, and policy integration. The author advocates for an elected regional level to enhance accountability and transparency, emphasizing that decentralisation must be paired with robust information systems to ensure effective governance. The piece concludes that regionalisation is essential for adapting to climate change and improving democratic engagement.
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 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.
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.
Rangel said the Portuguese Government will not overrule the Civil Protection authority's technical assessment when deciding whether to request assistance from European mechanisms.
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.
The European Union Civil Protection Mechanism could provide 'a wide range of assistance' in response to the storm's impact in Portugal, such as dehumidifiers and generators, but the country has not yet requested it, the European Commission announced today.
Almost a week after Storm Kristin struck the Leiria Region, requests for help are still arriving at the operations room of the Sub-Regional Emergency and Civil Protection Command, the centre of all decisions.
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.
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 Interior Minister said on Monday in Alvaiázere that she does not know what failed regarding the delay in making resources available to the territories most affected by Storm Kristin. 'The system is complex and the entities coordinating the civil protection system take every care to ensure collaboration among all,' said Maria Lúcia ...
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 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.
