Portugal is facing an unprecedented weather crisis as Storm Leonardo batters a nation still reeling from the catastrophic effects of Storm Kristin, which struck just over a week ago. The death toll from what meteorologists are calling an “explosive cyclogenesis” has now reached ten, and thousands of residents and businesses are still without power, water, or communication services.
A Week of Devastation
Storm Kristin tore through central and northern Portugal in the early hours of last Wednesday with terrifying force. Wind gusts exceeded 130 km/h across multiple districts, with the strongest recorded at 156 km/h in Leiria at 5:20 AM on January 28. The impact has been severe: approximately 68 municipalities have been left in chaos with over 100,000 households still suffering from the storm’s aftermath.
The human cost continues to mount with the most recent fatality being an elderly man in Porto de Mós who fell from a roof while attempting to replace tiles ripped off by Kristin. Scores of people remain seriously injured, and authorities warn the death toll may still rise.
Economic Fallout
The damage extends far beyond residential areas. Entire factories and business parks have been rendered inoperable, with some looking as if they were hit by a tornado. Business owners are expressing frustration with government support measures, which include credit lines they say will only add to their debt burden when they have no clear timeline for resuming operations.
In Proença-a-Nova, a business park visited by presidential candidate António José Seguro resembles a war zone. After a full week, debris has barely been cleared which has left business owners desperate for immediate action.
Infrastructure Under Scrutiny
The crisis has raised serious questions about Portugal’s infrastructure resilience. More than 450 high-tension power lines collapsed during Storm Kristin. In Leiria alone, 150 school buildings sustained serious damage, and many lost portions of their roofs.
Presidential candidate António José Seguro expressed bewilderment at how a supposedly well-developed European country could see electricity and communications cut off for so many days. The situation has prompted difficult questions: Is Portugal building infrastructure to last or merely to make do?
Record Rainfall
New data from the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) reveals that January 2025 was the second wettest January since 2000. Total rainfall reached 233.4 mm, nearly double the monthly average of 105 mm recorded between 1991 and 2020.
At 78% of weather stations, precipitation was at least double the normal level. In 40% of stations, it reached between 2.5 and 3.5 times the average. The ground is now heavily waterlogged across the country with all municipalities showing soil moisture levels above field capacity. Areas in the northern interior, central region, and southern coast are very close to total soil saturation.
River Levels Rising to Dangerous Heights
The combination of saturated ground and continued rainfall is creating dangerous conditions along Portugal’s rivers. The municipal council of Alcoutim has issued urgent warnings as the Guadiana River experiences drastic increases in water level and flow.
Multiple dams, including Pedrógão, Chança, Odeleite, and Beliche, are releasing large volumes of water. Authorities have described the afternoon high tide periods as times of “maximum risk” and have prohibited all navigation on the river. Boat users have been warned that strong currents and submerged debris, including logs and heavy objects, could cause wrecks or serious damage.
Riverside residents are being urged to reinforce boat moorings, remove equipment from low-lying areas, and avoid approaching quays or riverbanks. Officials stress that “the force of the water is unpredictable.”
Flooding threats extend from Alcácer do Sal to Coimbra, Soure, and Montemor-o-Velho with rising river levels posing risks to residential areas across multiple regions.
Storm Leonardo Brings No Respite
As communities struggle to recover from Kristin, Storm Leonardo has arrived and is expected to continue battering Portuguese territory until at least Saturday. Even areas that escaped the worst of Kristin are now suffering. In Aljezur, hillsides have given way sending rocks and trees tumbling onto roads. The Aljezur-Marmelete stretch was closed to heavy traffic after a large section of hillside collapsed onto the ER267.
In Figueira da Foz, high winds caused a large crane to crash down onto six properties across three streets, which has further exposed the precariousness of structures and their ability to withstand severe weather.
Government Response Falls Short
The government’s handling of the crisis has drawn sharp criticism. A “Situation of Calamity” was initially declared for only a few days, though it has since been extended to February 8. Critics argue this timeline is far too short given the scale of devastation.
The Socialist Party has called for the calamity declaration to be extended by at least three to six months and for business support to be non-refundable rather than offered as loans. CHEGA’s presidential candidate, André Ventura, has proposed eliminating tax obligations for people and businesses facing major repair bills.
Interior Minister has faced particular scrutiny for what many see as tone-deaf responses. Three days after Kristin struck, she mentioned that we are all in a process of collective learning. This was widely criticized for lacking empathy. She has since admitted that things did not go right but said she didn’t know exactly what those failings were.
Climate Resilience Investment Needed
A report released this week by the McKinsey Global Institute concluded that a quarter of Portugal is currently exposed to climate risks including floods, forest fires, and drought. The report recommends that the government double its current investment in climate resilience.
Portugal currently spends just over 170 million euros per year on climate change adaptation measures. However, Storm Kristin has exposed significant failings in the country’s preparedness and has raised urgent questions about whether current spending levels are adequate for the challenges ahead.
As Civil Protection authorities, volunteers, and soldiers from the Armed Forces work to address last week’s devastation, another storm continues to pound the nation. The crisis has made it clear that Portugal is struggling to cope with the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events.
With the presidential election scheduled for Sunday amid the ongoing chaos, political leaders face mounting pressure to provide both immediate relief and long-term solutions to protect the country from future climate-related disasters.
