Storm Kristin inflicted severe damage on Portugal’s telecommunications infrastructure, leaving thousands without phone or internet service and creating uncertainty about the full scale of losses. Anabela Campos of Expresso’s Economy section analyses the technical and organisational challenges of recovery: assessing fibre and mast damage, restoring power-dependent sites, coordinating operators and emergency services, and prioritising public-safety links. The piece outlines short-term fixes (temporary radio links, generator deployment, mobile cells) and longer-term resilience measures (network redundancy, hardening infrastructure, investment and regulatory incentives), while stressing the need for clear damage assessment and co‑operation between public authorities and private operators to minimise disruption and protect vulnerable communities.

Two people have died and more than 400 were injured during recovery operations following Storm Kristin, with many casualties caused by collapsing roofs weakened in the storm. Emergency services continue to respond as local authorities warn residents to prioritise personal safety over salvaging belongings, stressing the high risk of further roof collapses and structural damage. The incident highlights the ongoing strain on rescue and repair resources, the need for clear public-safety messaging, and the importance of coordinated inspections before re-entering damaged buildings. Authorities urge calm, adherence to safety instructions, and support for vulnerable households affected by the storm.

If Storm Kristin has damaged your home, car or other possessions, act quickly and methodically to activate your insurance cover. First secure people and property, photograph and timestamp all damage, and make temporary repairs where necessary to prevent further loss. Notify your insurer as soon as possible, check your policy for cover, excesses and time limits, and keep a written record of every contact and expense. For vehicles follow insurer guidance about repairers and avoid admitting liability; for homes document building and contents separately and retain receipts for emergency repairs. Common mistakes to avoid include delayed reporting, inadequate evidence, disposing of damaged items, using unapproved contractors without consent, and agreeing on settlements without written confirmation—knowing your consumer rights and the insurer complaints process will help if disputes arise.

Only around 25% of Portugal’s properties and infrastructure are insured against natural disasters, a weakness exposed by a recent week of severe storms. Material damages are still being assessed while major multi-risk insurers — notably Fidelidade, Generali Tranquilidade and Ageas — are accelerating claims handling on the ground. The low insurance penetration highlights underinsurance and significant fiscal and economic exposure, creating both reputational and commercial opportunities for insurers to expand coverage. Analysts say the event underscores the need for faster claims processes, clearer public–private risk-sharing mechanisms, targeted incentives to raise uptake, and investments in resilience and risk mapping as climate-driven extreme weather becomes more frequent.

Depression Kristin, following storm Joseph, is set to cross Portugal and has prompted Civil Protection to raise the special state of readiness to level 4 along the coastal strip from Viana do Castelo to Setúbal. Authorities expect the most critical period around 04:00; by 22:00 more than 1,500 incidents had been recorded and one person died in Vila Franca de Xira after a tree fell on a car. This minute-by-minute briefing tracks developments, emergency responses and public-safety impacts as the situation unfolds.