The Regional Civil Protection Service (SPRC) of Madeira has assessed the impact of depression Emília, which brought strong winds, rough seas, heavy rain, and snow to the high points of the island.
“One person was rehoused by the Santa Cruz municipality due to damage to their home. No other victims were reported,” the document stated.
Adverse weather data, in line with the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and the Atmosphere (IPMA), revealed that between Friday and today, the maximum gust reported was 147 kilometers per hour at the Chão do Areeiro station on December 12.
Wind gusts exceeding 100 kilometers were recorded at the Santa Catarina/Airport, Caniçal, Pico Alto, Ponta de São Jorge, Prazeres, Selvagem Grande, and Porto Santo stations.
Today, the highest gusts in the IPMA’s station network were 81 kilometers at the Airport, 80 at Pico Alto, and 79 at Caniçal. The Meteorological Observatory noted speeds above 70 kilometers per hour in Funchal.
Regarding precipitation, it was reported that on Saturday the cumulative 24-hour measure at the Chão do Areeiro station was 91 millimeters, marking the highest daily accumulation during the period.
Temperature readings indicated below zero degrees Celsius at Pico do Areeiro, with records of -0.6°C on Friday and -0.8°C on Saturday, accompanied by snowfall.
Operational activity statistics from Madeira’s Civil Protection report 349 incidents requiring intervention from 759 operatives and 363 terrestrial units from 08:00 Friday until 13:00 today.
These events engaged personnel from Fire Brigades, Municipal Civil Protection Services, and various municipal operational units, parish councils, the Forest Police Corps, Maritime Police, Public Security Police, the Maritime Authority, SANAS, Helitransported Brigades, and the Emergency and Protection Unit (UEPS) of the Republican National Guard. Involvement also included teams from the regional roads directorate and road operators (VIAEXPRESSO and VIALITORAL), alongside Altice/MEO, NOS, and the Madeira Electricity Company.
Coordination also took place with the National Maritime Authority, Ports Administration (APRAM), Forest and Nature Conservation Institute (IFCN), regional roads directorate, and all Madeira municipalities, indicating pre-identified roads and historically vulnerable zones will gradually reopen following local evaluations. Public updates will be provided through regular channels.
