Portugal Closes All Schools and Non-Essential Services Ahead of a Major Atlantic Storm
Officials said about 2,000 customers lost power as winds and flooding forced closures and travel disruptions across the country.
- On Wednesday, Nov. 11, Portugal's government declared a state of alert across mainland Portugal, ordering the closure of roughly 8,000 schools and suspending non-essential public services as Storm Charles approached.
- The Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere warned of persistent heavy rain and wind gusts reaching 140 kph as Charles moved toward the mainland after striking Madeira on Tuesday with 130 kph winds.
- Aeroportos de Portugal warned of flight restrictions at Lisbon, Faro, and Madeira airports, while UEFA postponed matches and an international technology conference in Lisbon with around 70,000 attendees cancelled events.
- Neves stated, "The country will be put to the test," urging remote work, while Lisbon Mayor Carlos Moedas defended the closures, saying, "In the face of risk, we must act prudently."
- This severe weather follows hundreds of incidents associated with Storm Bruna, reflecting Lisbon's vulnerability to consecutive storms; as the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season nears its end on Nov. 30, officials maintain strict preparedness.
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In Portugal, all schools were closed today and non-essential public services were suspended due to a strong Atlantic storm approaching the mainland.
On Tuesday night, the Portuguese national weather agency anticipated gusts of up to 140 kilometres per hour, and the government decided to close schools and non-essential public services on Wednesday.
Cars submerged in the region of the East Station due to the bad weather caused by the passage of the Charles storm in Lisbon Tiago Petinga/EPA/Shutterstock The government of Portugal declared a situation of alert due to the storm that affects much of the country on Wednesday (11). Rains are accompanied by winds that can reach 150 km/h throughout the day, according to the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and the Atmosphere. The institute baptized …
Portugal closes all schools and non-essential services ahead of a major Atlantic storm – WTOP News
LISBON, Portugal (AP) — Portugal closed all schools and shuttered non-essential public services on Wednesday as a major Atlantic storm headed for the country’s mainland. Streets remained largely deserted ahead of the arrival of Storm Charles after the government told people to stay at home as heavy rain and rough seas were expected to batter...
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