Tragedy Strikes Portugal as Storm Kristin Claims Five Lives

Tue Feb 03 2026 17:08:01 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Storm Kristin unleashes devastating impacts across Portugal, resulting in five fatalities, immense flooding, and widespread disruption as officials scramble to respond.

Storm Kristin has wreaked havoc across central and northern Portugal, killing at least five people and causing severe flooding, landslides, and major damage. The storm prompted the government to declare it an 'extreme climatic event,' leading to closed schools and disrupted travel. As emergency services respond to the aftermath, Portugal remains on high alert for further extreme weather conditions.

At least five people have died after Storm Kristin tore through central and northern Portugal, causing flooding, landslides, and widespread damage.

The storm, which the government described as an 'extreme climatic event', left schools shuttered, buildings damaged and travel severely disrupted.

In the coastal city of Figueira da Foz, a Ferris wheel overturned and several vehicles were hit when part of a roof was torn from a building.

Portugal has been hit by a succession of storms in recent days, including one over the weekend in which a man died after his car was swept away in floods.

Heavy rain and wind gusts of up to 150km (95 miles) per hour caused more than 3,000 weather-related incidents across the country, civil protection authorities said. Several people were struck by falling trees or debris.

The strongest winds were recorded at the Monte Real air base in Leiria, where gusts of 178km were recorded before the monitoring equipment was destroyed. Officials said the location was likely the storm's entry point to mainland Portugal.

More than 850,000 people lost power on Wednesday, according to electricity distributor E-Redes.

The civil protection agency (ANEPC) reported that three people had died in the central district of Leiria - one of the worst affected areas.

In Leira, one person was hit by a metal sheet, and another was trapped in the structure of a house, according to officials. Local media said a man in Vila Franca de Xira died when a tree struck his car.

Transport across Portugal has been severely disrupted, with roads and railways blocked by debris.

Ten coastal areas were placed under a red weather warning, with waves forecast to reach up to 14m (45ft).

Authorities have urged people in Coimbra and Leiria to remain indoors, while the country remains on maximum alert.

Prime Minister Luis Montenegro expressed condolences to the victims' families and stated that damage assessments were underway. Local officials in Leiria are calling for a state of emergency due to the extensive damage.

After crossing Portugal, Storm Kristin moved east into Spain, bringing significant weather disruptions with further emergency incidents reported.