Portugal – Deadly Floods in Lisbon

by in Europe, News

Flash flooding swept through the streets of Lisbon, capital of Portugal, after heavy rainfall on 07 December 2022. At least one fatality was reported and further heavy rain is expected.

The government of Lisbon district urged people to stay indoors after heavy rainfall triggered flooding in several areas including Alcântara, Campo Grande, Campo Pequeno and Baixa. Buildings including a hospital were damaged, roads cut and vehicular tunnels closed. Parts of the airport were also flooded. Portugal’s Civil Protection authority reported incidents of flooding and damage from severe weather in over 100 locations.

One person died in a flooded basement home in Algés in the municipality of Oeiras. One person managed to escape the building unharmed.

According to figures from the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA), the Tapada da Ajuda weather station in Lisbon recorded 82.3 mm of rain in 24 hours on 07 December. During the same period, the Geofísico weather station in Lisbon saw 80 mm; Amoreiras (Lisbon LFCL) 58.5 mm; G.Coutinho (Lisbon) 73.8 mm; and Almada recorded 50 mm.

Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa visited affected areas and offered his condolences to the family of the victim.

The mayor of Lisbon, Carlos Moedas, promised the construction of two drainage tunnels by 2025 in response.

Heavy rain has been falling in Portugal since 04 December. In 24 hours to 05 December, Civil Protection reported 187 occurrences related to the adverse weather situation, mostly in the municipalities of Faro (92), Loulé (14), Tavira (17) and Albufeira (13).

Firefighters rescued were called on to rescue a person trapped in a vehicle after rising water in the town of Conceição, in Pego do Aragão, municipality of Tavira.

The Municipality of Faro reported several buildings damaged by floods. One school was closed. As much as 19.1 mm of rain fell in Faro in just 1 hour early on 05 December. Loulé in the district of Faro recorded 68.6 mm of rain on 04 December and Castro Marim, also in the Faro district, 62.5 mm on 05 December.

Spain

Parts of neighbouring Spain have also seen severe weather, in particular in the Andalusia Region on 05 December 2022. Wind damage and a possible tornado were reported in the Province of Málaga, leaving one person injured.

Heavy rain caused 150 incidents of flooding in Algeciras and La Línea in Cadiz Province. Basements of houses, garages and commercial premises were flooded, 112 said. Some minor flooding impacted the town of Estepona in Málaga Province.

Coín in the Province of Málaga recorded 58 mm of rain in 12 hours, on 05 December 2022.

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