NOTICE NO/4/DCS/2025

DATE 24-01-2025

TIME 14:30

NOTICE TO THE POPULATION

RAIN, WIND, ROUGH SEAS AND SNOWFALL – PREVENTIVE MEASURES

NATIONAL EMERGENCY AND CIVIL PROTECTION AUTHORITY

1.SITUATION

The Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) predicts that the weather in mainland Portugal will worsen over the next few days due to the effects of depression EOWYN, with precipitation, sometimes heavy, wind, rough seas and snowfall, particularly if:

• Periods of rain, sometimes heavy, especially in the North and Central regions, which may be accompanied by thunderstorms;
• Strong winds with gusts of up to 90 km/h on the coast and in high areas;
• Strong sea agitation on the west coast with waves of up to 5 meters, reaching 7 meters on January 26th;
• Snowfall in the North and Central regions, from the afternoon of the 27th (Monday).

Weather information at www.ipma.pt

Hydrological Information

According to information from the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA), significant variations in hydrometric levels may occur in the historically most vulnerable areas, particularly on January 25th and 26th:

• Minho Basin – significant increase in inflows into the Minho and Coura rivers;
• Lima Basin – significant increase in inflows with possible impact on riverside towns, especially in Ponte da Barca and Ponte de Lima;
• Cávado Basin – significant increase in inflows and possibility of impact downstream of Vilarinho das Furnas and Caniçada;
• Douro Basin – significant increase in inflows, including in the Tâmega e Sousa sub-basin, with possible impact on riverside areas;
• Vouga Basin – significant increase in inflows, including downstream of Ribeiradio, as well as in the Águeda sub-basin;
• Mondego Basin – significant increase in inflows to Coimbra;
• Tagus Basin – high flows. No increase in inflows from Spain is expected, and no critical situations are expected.

Hydrological information at https://apambiente.pt

2.EXPECTED EFFECTS

Periods of precipitation, wind, rough seas and snowfall are normally associated with:

• The occurrence of flooding in urban areas, caused by the accumulation of rainwater due to obstruction of drainage systems or coastal overtopping;
• The occurrence of floods, increased by the overflow of the bed of some watercourses, rivers and streams;
• The instability of slopes, leading to mass movements (landslides, slides and others) caused by water infiltration, a phenomenon that can be exacerbated by the removal of vegetation cover following rural fires, or by artificial soil development;
• Slippery road surfaces due to the possible formation of sheets of water or the accumulation of ice and/or snow;
• Possible accidents on the shore, due to strong sea waves;
• The dragging of loose objects onto roads, or the detachment of mobile or poorly fixed structures, due to episodes of strong winds, which can cause accidents with vehicles in circulation or pedestrians on public roads;
• Thermal discomfort in the population due to increased wind intensity.

3.PREVENTIVE MEASURES

The National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANEPC) reminds that the possible impact of these effects can be minimized, mainly through the adoption of appropriate behaviors, so that, and particularly in historically more vulnerable areas, it is recommended to adopt the following measures: main preventive measures for these situations, namely:

• Ensure that rainwater drainage systems are unblocked and that inert materials and other objects that could be dragged or create obstacles to the free flow of water are removed;
• Ensure adequate fixing of loose structures, in particular scaffolding, placards and other suspended structures;
• Take special care when walking and staying near wooded areas, being aware of the possibility of branches and trees falling due to stronger winds;
• Take special care when moving along the coast and riverside areas that are historically more vulnerable to coastal flooding, avoiding moving around and staying in these areas.
• Do not engage in activities related to the sea, namely sport fishing, water sports and walks along the seafront, and avoid parking vehicles too close to the seafront;
• Adopt defensive driving, reducing speed and paying special attention to any accumulation of snow and/or formation of sheets of water on the highways;
• Avoid driving on roads affected by snow accumulation and when this is not possible, adopt the following measures:
  • Checking the condition of the tires and their pressures;
  • Transporting and placing snow chains on vehicles;
  • Ensure fuel supply at levels that allow alternative routes to be taken or the vehicle to remain in operation for long periods of time, in the event of traffic jams on the affected roads;
  • In electric vehicles, you must check the battery charge and analyze the existence of charging stations on your route;
  • Ensure that vehicle heating systems are in good working order;
  • Provide adequate food in quantity and characteristics, as well as medicines, according to the number and type of vehicle occupants.
  • On roads affected by snow accumulation, avoid traveling with children, the elderly or people with special needs;
  • Avoid driving on those roads with heavy vehicles, especially articulated vehicles, vehicles with trailers and rear-wheel drive vehicles;
  • Restrict as much as possible the movement of vehicles and pedestrians in areas potentially affected by snowfall;
  • Do not cross flooded areas, in order to prevent people or vehicles from being dragged into holes in the pavement or open drains;
  • Remove animals, agricultural and industrial equipment, vehicles and/or other goods from areas bordering water courses, which are normally subject to flooding, to safe locations;
  • Pay attention to weather information and instructions from Civil Defense and Security Forces.

ANEPC | Communication and Awareness Division