Impact of the recent storms on expats

It was horrific. Winds of +200 km/h were recorded on the night of 28 January. Nine people have died so far, some falling from roofs while repairing them. The government estimates the damage at over €3 billion. After a week, 150,000 people are still without electricity because all the high-voltage cables were destroyed. Reconstruction will take years. Schools, sports and arts centres, municipal markets, roads and thousands of homes were destroyed or damaged.

The government's response was slow at first. After realising how things really are, they're taking action.

Last weekend, people and businesses came together to donate roof tiles, tarpaulins, plastic sheeting, food and clothing. ... There are people who have been left with nothing. There are currently 1,200 military troops on the ground because of the storms and floods.

It was a real disaster. The worst storm ever seen in this country.

Climate change?

Well, there are still someone in this world who shout ‘drill, drill, baby, drill’. You know who I'm talking about...

Climate change?
Well, there are still someone in this world who shout ‘drill, drill, baby, drill’. You know who I'm talking about... - @JohnnyPT

That's what you get when rich oil firms throw you free money, and renewables don't. These storms are increasing and its scary.

Austria’s glaciers are experiencing rapid, record-level melting due to climate change, with projections indicating they could largely disappear within the next 40 to 80 years. Almost all of Austria's ~900 glaciers are losing mass, with an average length reduction of 24 meters in recent years. Iconic glaciers like the Pasterze are receding by over 200 meters annually.

Since 1850, roughly two-thirds of the glaciers in the European Alps have melted.

I guess (!) nobody doubts that climate is changing and has always done so. This winter in Austria and Germany is a bit like a winter when I was young. The current rain in Portugal (not storm Kristin!) cannot be something special, because even in our district town I see high water marks on houses which are mind-blowing.

When looking at the electrical installations in Portugal then it is evident that a storm must cause major problems. However, I assume that there are good reasons why many Portuguese power cables are above ground and not below.

After a week, 150,000 people are still without electricity because all the high-voltage cables were destroyed.

I am surprised to not see more big generator in the area where the power supply is disrupted. How can one let so many people be without power (upon which often depends heat and communication and services) for such a long time.

There are many hundreds of generators, but they are not enough for more than 200,000 damaged homes (many isolated in small villages).

https://eco.sapo.pt/2026/01/29/kristin- … nificados/

https://observador.pt/2026/01/29/kristi … l-sem-luz/

The UK is having more and more storms and unpredictable weather than normal. This winter, Austria has had some more snow than it has had in years, but it's still not lasting.

Climate change is a real thing.

Climate change is a real thing. - @SimCityAT

Absolutely. It has always been. I guess it is something we have to live with. If something hasn't happened for a long time, it doesn't mean it will not happen again.

@JohnnyPT

It is a main thing that businesses and factories which cannot work just because of "no electricity", are provided with power generation and fuel logistics. Otherwise these businesses will be dead for good. I cross fingers that the gensets you mentioned above were suitable and are already in action.

Sadly so, I guess many people will have to move into emergency housing for a long time. What a disaster.

The problem with the hundreds of companies affected is that they have been severely damaged, not just by the lack of electricity. Many of these repairs will take months to complete, such is the extent of the damage. If it were just the electricity... because of all this, the entire production chain in the country has been affected, with thousands of workers in lay off. A real disaster. And 85,000 people are still without electricity. To make things even worse, on top of the damage caused by Storm Kristin, many areas are now flooded by Storm Leonardo (and Storm Marta is due to arrive tomorrow)... and there are presidential elections on Sunday. Tragedy and populism go hand in hand... a calamity.

https://cnnportugal.iol.pt/depressao/te … a3449856c3

I read there have been protests in Pombal because in the area lots of people are without power for many days. I wonder why they have not been booked into available accommodation (hotels and the like). Especially smaller villages will be low on the e-redes priority list. What a sad situation. A company I am dealing with (office work) have moved their workplace and computers to a hotel from where they work normally.

I read there have been protests in Pombal because in the area lots of people are without power for many days. I wonder why they have not been booked into available accommodation (hotels and the like). Especially smaller villages will be low on the e-redes priority list. What a sad situation. A company I am dealing with (office work) have moved their workplace and computers to a hotel from where they work normally. - @TGCampo

A population of roughly 18,000 in the city and 55,000 in the municipality, that's a lot of people to put up in accommodation.

@TGCampo,

This is very valid in theory, but in practice it is not so much so.

Due to the floods, thousands of people are being housed in sports centres and schools. Retirement homes have also been relocated to other sites.

But in areas affected by Storm Kristin and winds of +200 km/h, people's homes have been damaged or destroyed, and the priority is to solve these problems, even without electricity. People do not want to leave their homes and their belongings, with this heavy rain, and with thefts, especially in damaged businesses and houses.

If it were you, would you leave your home and go to live in a hotel ?

If it were you, would you leave your home and go to live in a hotel ? - @JohnnyPT

I would only go if my life were in danger.

Talking about floods. The UK is getting its fair share again!

More than 80 flood warnings are in place along with over 250 alerts as relentless rain continues to lash Britain.

The Environment Agency (EA) has issued 82 warnings for England, meaning flooding is expected, mainly concentrated in the South West and Midlands.

A further 253 flood alerts are in force, meaning flooding is possible, stretching from North Yorkshire to Cornwall, and from the Welsh borders to Norfolk.

Natural Resources Wales has another 11 flood alerts in place across the border.

@TGCampo, This is very valid in theory, but in practice it is not so much so.Due to the floods, thousands of people are being housed in sports centres and schools. Retirement homes have also been relocated to other sites. But in areas affected by Storm Kristin and winds of +200 km/h, people's homes have been damaged or destroyed, and the priority is to solve these problems, even without electricity. People do not want to leave their homes and their belongings, with this heavy rain, and with thefts, especially in damaged businesses and houses.If it were you, would you leave your home and go to live in a hotel ? - @JohnnyPT

To be honest. I would take the real valuables, computers and original documents and move to a hotel. From there the I would start  the reconstruction. Have you seen how may people died falling from roofs they wanted to fix? And all those old people will anyway need support from family or friends.

Plus, not all buildings were destroyed, but many simply don't have power, water, communication.

@TGCampo, This is very valid in theory, but in practice it is not so much so.Due to the floods, thousands of people are being housed in sports centres and schools. Retirement homes have also been relocated to other sites. But in areas affected by Storm Kristin and winds of +200 km/h, people's homes have been damaged or destroyed, and the priority is to solve these problems, even without electricity. People do not want to leave their homes and their belongings, with this heavy rain, and with thefts, especially in damaged businesses and houses.If it were you, would you leave your home and go to live in a hotel ?  - @JohnnyPT
To be honest. I would take the real valuables, computers and original documents and move to a hotel. From there the I would start the reconstruction. Have you seen how may people died falling from roofs they wanted to fix? And all those old people will anyway need support from family or friends.
Plus, not all buildings were destroyed, but many simply don't have power, water, communication. - @TGCampo

....and what if the hotel has no power?

People are only relocated if their house is flooded or in danger of falling down. If you want to go to a hotel in another area, you can at your own cost.

In the early days, several people died because they fell from rooftops. But now the military is helping to rebuild roofs and repair houses. Many of these people cannot afford to pay for hotels, which are often far from their homes. Most of them are elderly, and most of them have pets and small farms with chickens, rabbits, sheep, etc. Do you still think that people with this profile would pick up their computers and go to a hotel?

It is in these moments that solidarity and generosity emerge. These people help each other, many coming from other parts of the country, when local and central authorities fail or are unable to assist everyone in the initial moments.

....and what if the hotel has no power?
People are only relocated if their house is flooded or in danger of falling down. If you want to go to a hotel in another area, you can at your own cost. - @SimCityAT

I would select a hotel with power! Plus it is low season and the state could pick up the bill, while supporting tourism.

Many of these people cannot afford to pay for hotels, which are often far from their homes. Most of them are elderly, and most of them have pets and small farms with chickens, rabbits, sheep, etc. Do you still think that people with this profile would pick up their computers and go to a hotel? - @JohnnyPT

You are right, people wit this profile wouldn't go to a hotel. One shouldn't force anybody anyway. But those in areas without power and water who want to move to a hotel (paid by the state), should be offered this opportunity. E-redes can then focus on the other areas. They are stretched to the limit anyway.

Many of these people cannot afford to pay for hotels, which are often far from their homes. Most of them are elderly, and most of them have pets and small farms with chickens, rabbits, sheep, etc. Do you still think that people with this profile would pick up their computers and go to a hotel? - @JohnnyPT
You are right, people wit this profile wouldn't go to a hotel. One shouldn't force anybody anyway. But those in areas without power and water who want to move to a hotel (paid by the state), should be offered this opportunity. E-redes can then focus on the other areas. They are stretched to the limit anyway. - @TGCampo

It doesn't work that way; the state doesn't put people in hotels, they simply can't afford to house them. That's why they put people into leisure centres.

It doesn't work that way; the state doesn't put people in hotels, they simply can't afford to house them. That's why they put people into leisure centres. - @SimCityAT

Sad. So only the Brits do this with migrants? "Can't afford" must be a joke considering what I see they can afford.