Latest news and stories about roof repairs in Portugal for expats and residents.
The mayor of Ferreira do Zêzere, Bruno Gomes, explains the difficulty of clearing all forest tracks. He stresses the need for skilled labour to carry out roof repairs.
The municipality's vice-president, Eduardo Amaral, warns that several roofs need to be repaired after being damaged by the storm. He also reports several fuel thefts in the municipality.
Leiria City Council launched today the 'Solidarity Roof' operation, an initiative specifically aimed at qualified technicians and companies to repair roofs, with accommodation guaranteed for participants who are not from the municipality.
Glass panes, roof tiles and tarpaulins to repair roofs, and generators, lanterns, batteries and gas stoves to supply homes are the main items sought by those affected by Storm Kristin.
Arminda Simões had to flee her home in her pyjamas during the storm. “I thought I was going to die. I was frightened by the sound of the wind; I have never seen anything like it,” she told Lusa.
At the logistics hub beside the stadium, queues form from the start of the day. And not even the rain puts off those who need help.
With no other way to stop rain getting into their homes, some people risk doing roof repairs themselves. Others seek professional help, which is scarce. Two people died carrying out such repairs after Storm Kristin.
On the fifth day after the storm, in the rain, residents of Marinha Grande in the Leiria district choose the type of roof tile they need and take home tarpaulins to cover what the wind blew away.
At the Pavilhão dos Pousos in Leiria, businesses, volunteers and the Navy are distributing roof tiles and tarpaulins to families whose roofs were destroyed by severe weather. The wave of solidarity meets an urgent need at a time when heavy rain continues and is worsening the damage to homes.
A company in the Algarve is delivering tarpaulins and roof tiles to Leiria. An appeal to the public for donations has been launched on social media.
The damage caused by storm Kristin is still far from being fully assessed and may increase. What should you do about a roof that has been blown off? And what changes with the declaration of a state of calamity?
