At least five people have lost their lives after Storm Kristin struck Portugal, bringing violent winds, heavy rain and widespread flooding that damaged homes, roads and public infrastructure.
Authorities warned the storm was an extreme weather event, leading to school closures, transport disruptions and communities grappling with destruction.
In Figueira da Foz, strong gusts overturned a ferris wheel and sent debris flying as part of a building’s roof was torn away, hitting several vehicles. Portugal has faced a series of storms in recent days, including one over the weekend that claimed a life when a man’s car was swept away by floodwaters.
Civil protection officials reported over 3,000 incidents nationwide, caused by falling trees, flying debris and structural damage. The fiercest winds hit the Monte Real air base in Leiria, reaching 178km per hour before destroying the monitoring equipment.
Officials said this was likely where the storm first made landfall.
Power outages affected more than 850,000 people, according to electricity distributor E-Redes. The ANEPC civil protection agency confirmed three fatalities in the Leiria district. One person was struck by a metal sheet, while another became trapped in a damaged house.
Local media reported a man in Vila Franca de Xira died after a tree fell on his car, and another death occurred in Marinha Grande.
Roads and railways were blocked by debris, including the main motorway connecting Lisbon to northern regions. Ten coastal areas were placed under a red weather warning due to hazardous sea conditions, with waves forecasted to reach up to 14 metres, according to the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere.
Authorities urged residents in Coimbra and Leiria to remain indoors while the country stayed on maximum alert. Prime Minister Luis Montenegro extended condolences to the families of the victims and said officials would take “whatever measures are necessary” to respond.
Goncalo Lopes, mayor of Leiria, called for the government to declare a state of emergency, saying the city’s recovery would take months. “We have public spaces turned upside down,” he said. “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 crossing Portugal, Storm Kristin continued into Spain, bringing snow, heavy rain and strong winds. Schools, roads and rail networks were closed, leaving hundreds of thousands without electricity.
In Andalusia, emergency services reported around 2,000 incidents, while Spain’s weather agency, AEMET, issued red warnings and forecasted hurricane-force gusts in parts of Almeria.
