“There are 46 people spending the night away from their homes, with 38 staying with relatives, three at the Santa Casa da Misericórdia da Horta, three at military facilities, and two in tourist accommodations,” stated Carlos Ferreira, the president of the Horta City Council, in comments to Lusa.
According to the mayor, the individuals were advised by the Municipal Civil Protection Service to leave their homes “for prevention and precaution,” as they lived in “more fragile residences” or were elderly or had reduced mobility.
The residents lived in the parishes of Angústias, Feteira, Castelo Branco, and Praia do Norte, in areas near the coast or by a stream that posed concerns.
In some cases, the Civil Protection services assisted in the relocation.
“A 93-year-old bedridden man was transported by the Humanitarian Association of Faial Volunteer Firefighters to the Santa Casa da Misericórdia da Horta, where he will spend the night,” revealed Carlos Ferreira.
The tropical cyclone Gabrielle began affecting the Azores at 10:00 PM local time (11:00 PM in Lisbon), and the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and the Atmosphere (IPMA) forecasts that the “most critical period” will be during the early morning.
In the Central Group (Pico, Faial, Graciosa, Terceira, and São Jorge), strong precipitation, winds with gusts up to 200 kilometers per hour from the south, turning to northwest, and maritime agitation with waves between eight and 10 meters in significant height are expected, with maximum waves reaching 14 to 18 meters.
In the Western Group (Flores and Corvo), heavy rainfall and gusts up to 130 kilometers per hour are also anticipated, with wave conditions similar to those in the Central Group.
These two groups are under several red warnings from the IPMA — the most severe on a scale of three — until Friday morning.
In the Eastern Group islands of São Miguel and Santa Maria, “occasionally heavy rainfall,” gusts between 100 and 120 kilometers per hour, and waves up to nine meters in significant height are expected.
The Regional Government declared an alert situation until 6:00 PM on Friday in the Central and Western groups, prohibiting certain activities.
In these islands, non-urgent and essential public services, including schools, have also been closed.
