Latest news and stories about flooding in infrastructure 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.
Train services on the North Line between Castanheira do Ribatejo and Alverca have been suspended since 6am due to flooding on the railway. The local council is also restricting access to the Tagus River at Terreiro do Paço as a safety measure.
Rail services on the Linha do Norte between Castanheira do Ribatejo and Alverca (Vila Franca de Xira, Lisbon) were suspended at about 06:00 due to flooding of the track, CP – Comboios de Portugal confirmed. The suspension affects local commuter links on this section and comes as the declared state of calamity for the area has been extended until 8 February; authorities and the operator are monitoring conditions and assessing restoration timelines.
After destructive 208 km/h winds from Storm Kristin, the municipality of Soure faces a second crisis: imminent flooding. Authorities and residents are preparing for rapid inundation, with low-lying areas such as Miragaia in Porto — including the Ribeira — identified as first at risk; local voices say preventing severe damage will require extraordinary measures. The situation highlights compounded hazards for infrastructure and public safety, testing emergency services' capacity and the need for immediate, coordinated flood mitigation and evacuation planning.
As of 20:00 on Monday mainland Portugal had logged 713 weather-related incidents, concentrated in the North and the Lisbon and Tagus Valley regions. Heavy rain forced road closures in Arcos de Valdevez and Caminha, flooded homes in Ponte de Lima and left one family homeless in Oeiras; emergency services remain active dealing with blockages and property damage. The situation highlights localized flash flooding and transport disruption, with authorities monitoring conditions and clearing affected routes.
Depression Ingrid brought intense rainfall and flooding to parts of Portugal, causing at least one fatality and leaving two people injured when a car was swept away in Cadaval. The floods displaced 14 people in Peniche and prompted roughly 970 emergency incidents over 24 hours, placing substantial strain on local emergency services and raising broader public-safety concerns as authorities continue monitoring flood-prone areas.
In just a few minutes, the rain flooded agricultural fields and roads in that municipality in the Évora district. After the downpour, lighter precipitation continued for at least two hours, hindering drainage.
CMTV obtained footage showing rain and thunderstorms in Oliveira do Hospital, in the Coimbra district, where roads are already flooded this Monday. Intense precipitation is expected for the afternoon.
Bad weather in the region is expected to continue until Sunday.
Carlos Moedas announced a new delay for Lisbon's largest anti-flooding project. The two major tunnels, promised for 2019, will only be completed in 2029.
The president of the APA explained that worsening weather conditions necessitated preventive management of reservoirs, justifying releases from dams.
The president of the Portuguese Environment Agency explained that the worsening weather conditions until next Saturday necessitated preventive management of the reservoirs.
The Portuguese Environment Agency (APA) announced on Thursday, March 19, that it has been performing preventive discharges at dams to mitigate flood risks in Alcácer do Sal, Setúbal district, due to the low-pressure system Therese. APA president José Pimenta Machado stated that worsening weather conditions necessitated proactive reservoir management, noting that soil saturation levels are high. Authorities have been preparing reservoirs, particularly Santa Clara, Pego do Altar, and Vale do Gaio, to accommodate additional water volume. APA is also monitoring the Sado River tide peak to prevent potential flooding, with officials expressing confidence that the situation is being managed effectively despite ongoing rainfall.
Storm Therese, which began affecting the weather in mainland Portugal on Tuesday, will have a greater impact on the Centre and South, with occasionally heavy showers.
Municipal and rural roads that remain submerged are among the most affected. The value calculated by the local authority does not include agricultural damage or damage to private homes.
The article reports that the PS/Açores (Socialist Party of the Azores) has called for urgent government action to prevent flooding in the Arrifes parish of Ponta Delgada. Deputress Sandra Costa Dias, a former local council president, presented a resolution requesting the immediate implementation of a project to build six new retention basins—four managed by the regional government and two by the municipality—to address longstanding and worsening flood issues affecting streets, homes, businesses, and infrastructure. The proposal demands a detailed timeline within 60 days and the creation of a coordination group involving regional authorities to ensure transparency and effective execution. The initiative aims to protect residents and property from recurrent flooding, emphasizing the need for prompt and structured intervention.
Storm Regina is being felt in some regions of mainland Portugal.
The rupture of the dike on the right bank of the Mondego caused flooding and led to the collapse of a lane on the A1. The government states that recovery will take “weeks”, while Brisa provides alternative routes.
The volume of water necessitated the evacuation of nearly three thousand people. The country's main motorway was closed after the dyke gave way to the force of the water. Evacuated residents are not expected to return home until Saturday, according to the mayor.
Home News Flooding closes roads in Portugal Flooding closes roads in Portugal The district of Aveiro currently has 58 roads closed or restricted, mainly due to flooding, with Águeda and Estarreja among the most affected municipalities, according to the GNR.
Home News Dike in Coimbra burst Dike in Coimbra burst The right bank of the River Mondego, in Casais, Coimbra, burst this afternoon, next to the A1 viaduct, the president of the Mondego Valley Farmers' Association told Lusa.
Ongoing works in the Costa area, where thousands of litres of water are being discharged into the sewage system, are contributing to flooding in the lower areas.
All riverside municipalities in the Santarém district have experienced flooding in low-lying areas, road closures, preventive evacuations, and a strong mobilization of civil protection resources.
The Mayor of Porto, Pedro Duarte, today urged the population to be alert for the likelihood of flooding from 6 PM in the areas of Ribeira and Miragaia, along the banks of the Douro River.
The rising waters of the Lena River in Ponte das Mestras, Leiria, are flooding garages and endangering new residential areas. CNN Portugal reporter Pedro Ramos Bichardo speaks to residents who are trying to contain the water with sand barriers, while Civil Protection monitors the flow's evolution.
The flooding of the Mondego has left roads submerged between Coimbra and Montemor-o-Velho and has forced the suspension of the North Line in the Alfarelos area. Civil Protection warns of saturated soils and urges caution due to the risk of further flooding.
From Ponte das Mestras, Leiria, journalist Pedro Ramos Bichardo reports on the damage caused by the rain in recent hours.
Home News Storms disrupt roads, rail, and river transport across Portugal Storms disrupt roads, rail, and river transport across Portugal Heavy rain and flooding have caused widespread travel disruptions across the country.
Commander Paulo Santos urges the population to stay at home due to flooding already affecting Oeiras after the Laje stream overflowed and flooded the streets of the municipal park. In urban areas, he explains, the watersheds are “completely sealed, and the water ends up flowing very quickly.”
Heavy rain and releases from dams have once again flooded the town centre of Alcácer do Sal, turning the main avenue into a canal.
