Storm Kristin hits Lisbon with intense winds and torrential rains
A powerful low-pressure system, named Kristin, unleashes its force over the Portuguese capital. The city faces very strong wind gusts and heavy precipitation that are already causing significant incidents in the urban area. 🌧️💨
Declaration of maximum alert and warnings to the public
The competent authorities have activated the red alert level due to the meteorological risk. They urge the population to exercise extreme caution due to the possibility of flash floods and landslides. The storm is moving toward the north and center of the territory, so the recommendations from civil protection services are crucial.
Immediate consequences of the storm:- The fall of numerous trees and large branches blocks streets and avenues.
- Damage is recorded to building facades and city furniture.
- The power supply fails, leaving hundreds of thousands of Lisbon residents without electricity.
The absolute priority at this moment is to ensure the physical integrity of people.
Widespread damage to infrastructure and services
The effects of the bad weather go further. Public transport has been interrupted, and damage is observed to private vehicles and streetlights. The fall of telecommunications poles and high-voltage cables complicates communications, isolating some areas. Emergency teams have been deployed to address the most urgent situations and try to restore essential services as soon as possible.
Collateral problems for residents:- Many citizens seek alternative lighting sources, such as candles.
- Others discover with frustration the limited autonomy of their mobile phones at a critical moment.
- The difficulty in communicating worsens the feeling of helplessness in some areas.
Response from services and outlook
While emergency teams work tirelessly to clear roads and assess damage, the population hopes the storm will subside. This episode highlights the vulnerability of large cities to extreme weather phenomena and the importance of having robust contingency plans. Full restoration of normality could take several hours, or even days, in the most affected areas. 🚧⚡