Storm Kristin, which swept across the country on Tuesday night and into Wednesday morning, left four people dead in the Lisbon region and central Portugal, according to the latest figures from emergency services.
Among the first victims was a person killed in Vila Franca de Xira, on the outskirts of Lisbon, after their car was struck by a falling tree. Another fatality was reported in Monte Real, in the central district of Leiria, following the collapse of a metal structure, according to initial information from civil protection authorities.
Later, the National Civil Protection Authority (ANPEC) confirmed two further deaths in the municipality of Leiria. One person was found in cardiac arrest at a construction site, while another was discovered trapped beneath the rubble of a collapsed house.
Storm Kristin brought torrential rain and wind gusts of up to 150 km/h, causing widespread damage, particularly in the Lisbon area and across central parts of the country.
Trees and infrastructure were brought down and flooding was reported in several locations, said Daniela Fraga, deputy commander of ANPEC’s national operations, during a press briefing. By midday on Wednesday, around 3,000 incidents had been recorded. “Given the scale of the phenomenon, it will take some time to assess the full extent of the damage”, she said.
In a statement, the Portuguese government described the storm as an extreme weather event that caused significant damage in several regions.
At the height of the storm, up to 850,000 homes and institutions were left without electricity. Power was gradually restored as conditions improved throughout the day.
Numerous roads were cut off or partially blocked, including the main motorway linking Lisbon to the north of the country, while rail services were also disrupted in some areas. Several municipalities closed schools on Wednesday, and in the coastal town of Figueira da Foz, strong winds toppled a giant ferris wheel at a funfair.
Portugal has been hit by successive storms in recent days. At the weekend, one man died after being swept away by floodwaters while attempting to cross a river in his vehicle.
Although weather conditions have begun to improve, authorities remain on alert. Rain warnings remain in place in the north of the country, where saturated ground could worsen the impact, civil protection officials warned.
