“The primary incidents reported were structural collapses, chimneys, trees, flooding, landslides onto roads, and occasional rescues of individuals whose vehicles were immobilized in flooded areas near water lines,” stated António Fonseca, Sub-regional Commander of Emergency and Civil Protection in Beiras and Serra da Estrela, to Lusa agency.
The official noted that the most noticeable situation occurred in Soalheira, in the municipality of Fundão, where “very intense wind, during a short period, caused some structures, such as chimneys and roofs, to be blown away.”
“There were no casualties or displacements to report, only some vehicle damage,” he added.
António Fonseca confirmed that all incidents were resolved “in time and there is nothing critical to note.”
“We had three cases of drivers, in Fundão, Belmonte, and Penamacor, where it was necessary to assist them to leave the water lines, which overflowed and flooded the adjacent lands. Even so, there are people who persist in trying to pass. In these circumstances, you must not under any circumstances try to see if you can pass,” he said.
In the last two days, civil protection also recorded gusts of wind “around 100 kilometers per hour, or more, occasionally,” which toppled trees, some roofs, and chimneys.
“Since we are in the highlands, namely Guarda and other mountain settlements, the wind speed is felt more intensely and causes some damage,” he emphasized.
The Sub-regional Commander of Emergency and Civil Protection in Beiras and Serra da Estrela warned that scaffolding, cranes, and billboards must be secured to prevent them from falling onto public roads and causing damage to vehicles or even people.
For the upcoming weekend, which will again be marked by rain and strong wind, António Fonseca issued more recommendations and appealed to citizens to exercise “more caution and increased attention” on the road.
“People need to be more careful when driving, reduce speed, and be much more attentive, especially to water sheets and falling earth and stones onto roads.”
The official mentioned that during storm Cláudia, operatives were called to remove mass movements, which ultimately hindered road traffic on National Highway (EN) 222, connecting Loriga to Pedras Lavradas, in the municipality of Seia, and on the municipal road between Casegas and Paul, in the municipality of Covilhã.
“People also continue not to take proper precautions with their gutters and drains, and we sometimes have house floods or other situations that could be avoided if proper maintenance were done,” he underlined.
Mainland Portugal is under yellow warning due to precipitation of “sometimes heavy showers accompanied by thunderstorms” and, in coastal regions, due to the “waves of four to five meters” until Saturday night, for now.
