Latest news and stories about emergency services in Madeira, Portugal for expats and residents.
Storm Therese has caused 157 incidents in Madeira, including flooding and structural damage, resulting in one person being left homeless and the closure of a school in Porto Santo.
The President of the Republic is monitoring the aftermath of severe weather in Madeira, where a tornado in Porto Santo caused significant property damage and flooding, leading to nearly 100 emergency incidents across the archipelago.
The Portuguese Institute for the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) has issued a yellow warning for the Madeira archipelago today due to strong winds. The advisory signals elevated risk to public safety and potential disruption to transport and maritime operations; residents and visitors are advised to follow local guidance and monitor updates from authorities. The situation warrants vigilance but does not currently indicate the most severe weather categories.
A low-pressure system named Francis is forecast to affect Madeira at around 03:00, prompting an orange weather warning for the early hours. Emergency services have issued alerts advising the public to take precautions against heavy rain, strong winds and possible flooding, with authorities monitoring conditions and readiness for response.
Three Spaniards and one Serbian were found to be in good physical condition and in no need of medical assistance, and were rescued by the ship Zaire.
The Portuguese Navy rescued three Spaniards and one Serbian who were on a drifting boat, although they were “physically well and in no need of medical assistance.”
Three Spaniards and one Serbian were found to be in good physical condition and in no need of medical assistance, and were rescued by the ship Zaire.
Miguel Albuquerque warned that if this does not happen, the responsibility must be attributed to the Republic.
The search began on Saturday, but only yielded results on Sunday morning.
A 64-year-old woman had to be rescued from the scene.
A 64-year-old woman was rescued from the residence on Beco dos Álamos. Sixteen emergency personnel fought the fire, the cause of which remains under investigation.
A 64-year-old woman had to be evacuated from the scene, but she did not suffer any injuries.
A child was transported to Dr. Nélio Mendonça Hospital in Funchal this Wednesday, April 22, following an incident aboard a cruise ship docked at the city's port, according to the Madeira ports management company. The Madeira Ports Administration (APRAM) confirmed an incident involving a child on the Mein Schiff 7, noting it occurred within the ship's jurisdiction. The Regional Integrated Medical Emergency System was activated, with the Rapid Intervention Medical Team (EMIR) providing on-site assessment before the child was taken to the hospital. While APRAM did not disclose details, local newspaper JM reported the child is a two-year-old foreign national in critical condition, and the Correio da Manhã newspaper stated the child fell from a height of three metres.
The child is a foreign national and suffered a fall of approximately four metres on board. They were hospitalised with very serious injuries and remain in a life-threatening condition. The company has already launched an internal investigation.
The Forest Fire Detection System in Madeira now includes 52 additional surveillance cameras. Early detection of forest fires, increasing safety, and protecting heritage are the priorities.
The Regional Civil Protection Service warns of the possibility of falling branches or trees, as well as the disruption of communication and energy infrastructure.
Among the injured are four German nationals and two Spaniards.
The mayor of Câmara de Lobos indicated that authorities will decide whether it is necessary to permanently relocate families, should there be any danger, based on the conclusions of laboratory assessments.
A large-scale landslide occurred on Friday on a slope at the Seara Velha site, in the parish of Curral das Freiras. The movement of the earth does not pose any “imminent danger”.
The Government of Madeira will “create a drone, similar to one that exists in Israel, to extinguish urban fires in the city centre,” announced Miguel Albuquerque.
Civil Protection and firefighters are on the scene.
Between March 17 and 24, one person was rehoused in Santa Cruz and three others in Câmara de Lobos. The main requests for assistance involved fallen trees, landslides, flooding, and damage to buildings.
The low-pressure system Therese has caused landslides, flooding, and fallen trees since Thursday. A school in Porto Santo, one of the most affected areas, is closed until Wednesday for repairs.
Since Thursday, relief operations have involved 384 personnel and 183 technical resources.
With no casualties reported, storm Therese caused the collapse of infrastructure and trees, flooding, and landslides on the island of Madeira and in Porto Santo. Several roads remain closed.
The number of incidents caused by bad weather in Madeira has risen to 116, according to updated data from the archipelago's Civil Protection Service on March 22. The region has been facing severe weather, including a tornado, since last Thursday. As of 08:30 on Sunday, 301 personnel and 139 technical units were deployed to handle issues including power grid failures, 26 landslides, fallen trees, and 17 floods, with no casualties reported. Porto Santo is among the most affected areas. Due to the damage, the Campo de Baixo primary school will remain closed until March 25 for repairs. Over 99% of mobile network outages have been resolved, though fixed-line recovery is taking longer.
Porto Santo was one of the most affected municipalities, with 28 incidents, following an 'extreme meteorological phenomenon' that hit the territory at the beginning of Friday night.
Extreme wind phenomenon occurred on Friday at 7:00 PM.
In total, 277 personnel and 128 technical resources have already been deployed.
The Madeira Civil Protection Service updated the number of incidents recorded between Thursday and 8:00 am to 96, due to bad weather caused by the passage of the low-pressure system Therese.
