At least five individuals have tragically lost their lives following the devastating impact of Storm Kristin, which swept through central and northern Portugal. The storm has brought about severe flooding, landslides, and extensive destruction throughout the region, prompting officials to label it an "extreme climatic event." In the wake of this disaster, schools were closed, buildings sustained damage, and transportation was thrown into chaos.
In the coastal city of Figueira da Foz, the storm's fury was evident as a Ferris wheel was overturned and several vehicles were damaged when a section of a roof was ripped from a nearby structure. This incident highlights the intense winds and rain that have plagued the area recently.
Portugal has been grappling with a series of storms in recent days. Just over the weekend, another storm resulted in the death of a man whose vehicle was swept away by floodwaters. Civil protection authorities reported that heavy rainfall and wind gusts reaching up to 150 km/h (about 95 mph) led to over 3,000 weather-related incidents nationwide, with numerous individuals injured by falling trees and debris.
The most powerful winds were measured at the Monte Real air base in Leiria, where gusts peaked at a staggering 178 km/h before the monitoring equipment was damaged. Officials believe this location was likely the entry point for the storm into mainland Portugal.
On Wednesday alone, more than 850,000 residents experienced power outages, according to E-Redes, the electricity distribution company. The civil protection agency (ANEPC) confirmed that three fatalities occurred in the central district of Leiria, which was one of the hardest-hit regions. Reports indicate that in Leiria, one victim was struck by a flying metal sheet, while another became trapped within the wreckage of a house. Additionally, local media reported a fatality in Vila Franca de Xira due to a tree falling onto a vehicle, and another death was recorded in the Marinha Grande area.
Transportation has been severely impacted across the country, with numerous roads—including the main motorway that connects Lisbon to the north—blocked by debris, and train services suspended. Ten coastal regions were placed under a red weather warning on Wednesday due to hazardous sea conditions, with waves forecasted to reach heights of up to 14 meters (approximately 45 feet). This alarming prediction came from the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA).
The Public Security Police (PSP) advised residents in Coimbra and Leiria to remain indoors for their safety, while Portugal's Secretary of State for Civil Protection stated that the nation remains on high alert. Prime Minister Luis Montenegro extended his condolences to the families affected by the storm, assuring that authorities are evaluating the damage and will implement any necessary measures to aid recovery.
In response to the widespread destruction, Leiria's mayor, Goncalo Lopes, called on the government to consider declaring a state of emergency. He remarked, "We have public spaces turned upside down. It's something that will require a very large recovery effort in the coming months. The impact is similar to what a bomb could mean in our city, with massive destruction."
After wreaking havoc in Portugal, Storm Kristin continued its course eastward into Spain, bringing snow, rain, and strong winds along with it. The storm has caused significant disruptions across the Spanish landscape as well, leading to closures of schools, roads, and train lines, leaving hundreds of thousands without electricity.
In Andalusia, emergency services reported approximately 2,000 incidents related to the severe weather. Spain’s national meteorological agency, AEMET, issued warnings of exceptionally strong winds in various areas, predicting gusts that could reach hurricane force. A red weather alert was activated for parts of Almeria in the southeast, underscoring the strength of the winds.
