“Hurricane Gabrielle will impact the archipelago as a category 1 storm, with a more intense effect on the central group, particularly concerning maritime agitation and wind,” stated Rui Andrade, President of the Azores Regional Civil Protection and Fire Service (SRPCBA), during a briefing in Angra do Heroísmo. “We are talking about average winds around 130 km/h and maximum gusts nearing 200 km/h at sea level. This is a significant factor that deserves attention.”
After meeting with the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and the Atmosphere (IPMA) this afternoon, Rui Andrade confirmed no significant changes in the weather forecasts. Red warnings remain in effect for the central group islands (Terceira, São Jorge, Graciosa, Pico, and Faial) and the western group (Flores and Corvo) due to rain, wind, and maritime agitation.
Regarding the wind, the Civil Protection President noted that “in the central group, the islands of Faial, São Jorge, and Graciosa will experience it more intensely.”
Nevertheless, Rui Andrade stated that all warnings are concerning and factored into the risk analysis.
The Civil Protection head also refrained from specifying the most critical periods during the hurricane’s passage through the archipelago.
“The critical period is during the end of tonight, early hours, and part of tomorrow,” he explained. “It is important for the population to understand this. By detailing very short periods, we risk being inaccurate, as we are limiting probabilities.”
In 2019, Hurricane Lorenzo caused extensive damage in the Azores, but Rui Andrade pointed out that it passed as a category 3, unlike the expected category 1 for Gabrielle.
“We don’t believe we are facing a more violent phenomenon than Lorenzo,” he remarked.
Andrade reiterated that there are still no reasons to close services or declare an alert in the eastern group (São Miguel and Santa Maria).
“Based on the risk assessment for this scenario, there is no basis for exceptional measures,” he explained.
The SRPCBA President conveyed a message of confidence to the populace, stating that “all municipalities have activated their municipal civil protection plans” and “entities are prepared to face the impact of Hurricane Gabrielle.”
“We are prepared, and this has been a meticulous effort since Monday with all parties involved. I aim to relay a message of calm and tranquility to the population, supported by continuous coordination with all entities,” he emphasized.
Tropical Cyclone Gabrielle is expected to pass over the Azores as a category 1 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale (scales from 1 to 5, with 5 being the most severe).
In the central group, “heavy rainfall, wind gusts around 200 km/h from the south shifting to northwest, and maritime agitation with waves between eight and ten meters, potentially reaching peak waves of 14 to 18 meters” are anticipated.
The western group will also experience heavy rain and gusts up to 130 km/h, with wave activity similar to the central group.
Both groups have red warnings from the IPMA—the highest on a scale of three—extending until Friday morning.
On the islands of São Miguel and Santa Maria, “occasionally heavy rain,” gusts between 100 and 120 km/h, and waves up to nine meters are expected.
The Regional Government has declared an alert status until 6:00 PM Friday for the central and western groups, prohibiting certain activities.
Non-urgent and essential public services, including schools, have been closed on these islands.
