Reports of significant damage have emerged from Faro Beach, where high tides caused considerable destruction overnight. Images posted on social media by a beach visitor showcase wooden planks completely dislodged and damaged by waves that hit the Algarve coast on Tuesday. The beach is also littered with scattered wood.
Other photographs depict straw hats bent out of shape and sun loungers overturned on the sand.
The Jornal de Notícias reported that some concession areas, particularly around the esplanades, were affected by waves, though they did not sustain severe damage. By mid-morning, clean-up activities commenced to address the scattered wooden planks deposited by the sea.
The National Maritime Authority (AMN) issued a warning regarding significant wave heights on Monday. The forecast indicated worsening weather and maritime conditions on the Portuguese mainland from August 26 until noon on August 27. The maritime agitation is expected to involve swells from the west-northwest, with waves reaching significant heights of four meters and maximum heights of seven meters, with wave periods ranging from 15 to 17 seconds.
Additionally, northerly winds with an average intensity of up to 38 km/h and gusts up to 69 km/h are anticipated.
Over the weekend, the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) had already forecasted “very energetic waves with high water volumes” due to the post-tropical cyclone ERIN, which was positioned west of the Azores archipelago and moving northeast on Saturday. In a statement, the IPMA further explained that significant wave heights up to four meters, with potential peaks reaching seven meters, are expected along the western coast on Tuesday.
