As the authorities expected Storm Gabrielle to reach the Azores as a Category 1 hurricane on a scale of 5, it transitioned to a post-tropical depression as it neared the islands. Nonetheless, it led to at least 196 incidents and 16 relocations, according to the Regional Civil Protection and Firefighters Service of the Azores (SRPCBA).
“There was a need to rehouse 16 people (on the islands of Terceira, São Jorge, Pico, Faial, and Graciosa), with no injuries reported so far,” stated the Azores Civil Protection, specifying that most of the 196 incidents were related to fallen trees and structures and damage to roofs.
The most critical period occurred between 3:00 AM and 9:00 AM local time (one hour later in Lisbon), with the worst effects felt on the islands of Graciosa, Faial, and Terceira.
The islands in the Central Group (Pico, Faial, Graciosa, Terceira, and São Jorge) and the Western Group (Flores and Corvo) were under a red alert—the most severe on a three-level scale—due to precipitation, wind, and maritime agitation but have since begun to deactivate municipal emergency plans.
The municipal councils of Angra do Heroísmo and Praia da Vitória on Terceira Island, Horta on Faial Island, Madalena on Pico Island, and Velas on São Jorge Island reported that they deactivated their emergency plans between the morning and early afternoon.
As weather conditions gradually improve, the nine islands are returning to normal, albeit in a limited manner in the Central and Western groups, where schools and non-essential public services remain closed today.
Transport disruptions persist in maritime connections, with the company that operates passenger links in the Central Group canceling today’s trips between Faial and Pico islands.
Meanwhile, damage to Graciosa’s air terminal caused by the storm “did not affect” the building’s structure, and repairs will be conducted in the coming days without disrupting air operations, the Regional Government stated.
SATA has resumed canceled flights from 1:00 PM local time (2:00 PM in Lisbon) today, including routes from New York and Boston, with potential early resumption of other services.
“Should the situation continue to improve, we are prepared to operate all flights except for the link to Corvo, as wind conditions remain beyond operational safety limits,” the company said in a note to Lusa.
Despite having lost some initial hurricane characteristics, with maximum wind gusts predicted at 200 kilometers per hour, the storm primarily impacted the Central Group, notably the islands of Faial, Graciosa, and Terceira.
During the early hours today, the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) network recorded a maximum low-altitude gust of 154 kilometers per hour, while the highest altitude gust reached 185 kilometers on Terceira Island.
The Regional Government declared an alert situation and closed non-urgent and essential public services, including schools, but today announced an end to the alert situation at 12:00 PM local time (1:00 PM in Lisbon) that was initially set until 6:00 PM local time.
The Azores Civil Protection added in a statement that the order issued by the Regional Government President to close all non-urgent or essential public services and agencies in the Western and Central groups remains in effect until 6:00 PM today.
Meanwhile, the IPMA issued warnings for worsening maritime agitation and precipitation and wind on the mainland, from Saturday through Sunday.
