Between 2pm on Wednesday and 11am today, there were a total of 4,017 occurrences related to the adverse meteorological situation caused by the Cláudia depression, which is affecting the territory of the Portuguese mainland, revealed, in a statement, the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANEPC).
The most affected sub-regions were the Setúbal Peninsula, with 647 incidents, the Porto Metropolitan Area, with 423 incidents, and the Algarve, with 586 incidents.
Of the 4,017 occurrences, 2,148 referred to floods, 731 to falling trees, 497 to cleaning roads, 335 to falling structures, 281 to mass movements.
11 water rescues and 14 land rescues were also carried out.
The bad weather caused two fatalities in Fernão Ferro (Seixal), a couple over 80 years old whose house was flooded, and 32 people were displaced in the municipalities of Abrantes, Salvaterra de Magos, Seixal and Pombal.
Due to extreme phenomena of strong wind, an 85-year-old British citizen died and two people were injured at Camping de Albufeira, in the Algarve, the municipality where the collapse of the roof of the Edan Resort restaurant caused 20 injuries.
12,382 operators were involved in responding to these incidents, supported by 4,795 vehicles, added ANEPC.
The Civil Protection authority recommended that citizens adopt preventive behaviors in the face of bad weather, namely the unblocking of rainwater drainage systems, and the adequate fixation of loose structures, namely scaffolding, signs and other suspended structures.
Civil Protection also advised special care when traveling and staying in wooded areas, due to the possibility of falling branches or trees caused by strong winds, and precautions when traveling near the coastline and riverside areas, particularly in areas historically more vulnerable to coastal overtopping.
On the other hand, it advised against activities related to the sea, such as sport fishing, water sports and walks along the seafront, as well as parking vehicles near the seafront.
Adopting defensive driving, reducing speed and paying special attention to the possible formation of water tables on roadways, not crossing flooded areas, and removing animals, equipment, vehicles and other goods from normally floodable areas to safe locations, are other advices from ANEPC.