The structure located at Lagoa Beach in Aver-o-Mar has sustained significant damage to its wooden terrace, as well as to some decorative items and furniture.
Monica Martins, commander of the Maritime Police of Póvoa de Varzim and Vila do Conde, confirmed that the sea has overwhelmed many beaches across the two municipalities due to strong waves, encroaching significantly onto the shore.
“All beaches in Vila do Conde and Póvoa de Varzim have been marked by red flags. This will not be a situation limited to today,” stated the commander.
Monica Martins noted that “according to the weather forecast, the situation [of strong waves] will persist in the coming days.”
“Perhaps only by the end of this week will the beaches be available for swimming. However, this is a situation that we must evaluate daily and on a case-by-case basis,” she added.
Considering that Póvoa de Varzim and Vila do Conde are two of the most popular seaside areas in the north of the country, the local Maritime Police commander urges all beachgoers “to comply with the directions of the maritime authority and lifeguards, and to avoid risky behaviors.”
Due to the maritime agitation, the districts of Porto, Faro, Setúbal, Viana do Castelo, Lisbon, Leiria, Beja, Aveiro, Coimbra, and Braga are under a yellow warning from 6:00 AM today until 6:00 AM on Wednesday.
The yellow warning, the least severe, is issued when there is a risk to certain activities dependent on the weather situation.
On Monday, in a statement, the IPMA explained that waves of significant height up to four meters are expected on the western coast on Tuesday, potentially reaching a maximum height of seven meters, an uncommon situation in August due to the positioning of the post-tropical cyclone ERIN.
Following the worsening maritime conditions, the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANEPC) and the National Maritime Authority (AMN) alerted the public, advising preventive measures.
The AMN urged beachgoers to exercise caution when visiting the beach, attend permanently monitored beaches, respect the flag signals and beach signs as well as the instructions of lifeguards and other surveillance personnel, supervise children at all times, and avoid standing under cliffs.
