Notice No. 23/DCS/2025

Date: November 11, 2025

Time: 12:30 PM

Notice to the Public

Depression Claudia: Precipitation, Wind and Rough Seas –

Preventive Measures

National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority

1.SITUATION

According to information from the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and the Atmosphere (IPMA), worsening weather conditions are expected in mainland Portugal in the coming days due to the CLÁUDIA depression, with persistent, sometimes heavy, precipitation, wind, and rough seas, highlighting:

• Persistent, sometimes heavy precipitation accompanied by thunderstorms throughout most of the territory;
• Strong winds from the south quadrant, with gusts up to 90 km/h on the coast and up to 110 km/h in the highlands;
• Rough seas with waves from the west/southwest of 4 to 4.5 meters.

Weather information at www.ipma.pt

2.EXPECTED EFFECTS

Worsening of adverse weather conditions with persistent, sometimes heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms, wind and rough seas, with the following expected during this period:

• Flooding in urban areas, caused by the accumulation of rainwater due to obstruction of drainage systems or coastal flooding;
• Flooding, exacerbated by the overflowing of the beds of some watercourses, rivers and streams;
• Slope instability, leading to mass movements (landslides, rockfalls and others) caused by water infiltration, a phenomenon that can be exacerbated by the removal of vegetation cover following rural fires, or by soil artificialization;
• Contamination of drinking water sources by inert materials resulting from rural fires;
• Slippery road surfaces due to the possible formation of water sheets;
• Possible accidents on the coastline due to strong sea agitation;
• Loose objects being dragged onto roads, or mobile or poorly secured structures becoming detached, due to strong winds, which may cause accidents involving vehicles or pedestrians on public roads.

3.PREVENTIVE MEASURES

The National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANEPC) reminds that the potential impact of these effects can be minimized, especially through the adoption of appropriate behaviours. Therefore, and particularly in historically more vulnerable areas, the adoption of the main preventive measures for these situations is recommended, namely:

• Ensure the unobstructed flow of rainwater drainage systems and the removal of debris and other objects that may be swept away or create obstacles to the free flow of water;
• Ensure adequate securing of loose structures, namely scaffolding, billboards, and other suspended structures;
• Exercise special care when circulating and remaining near wooded areas, being aware of the possibility of falling branches and trees due to stronger winds;
• Exercise special care when circulating near the coastline and riverbanks historically more vulnerable to coastal flooding, avoiding circulation and remaining in these locations;
• Do not engage in activities related to the sea, namely recreational fishing, water sports and walks along the seashore, and avoid parking vehicles too close to the shoreline;
• Adopt defensive driving, reducing speed and paying special attention to the possible formation of water sheets on roads;
• Do not cross flooded areas, in order to prevent people or vehicles from being swept into holes in the pavement or open sewer drains;
• Remove animals, equipment, vehicles and/or other belongings from normally flooded areas to safe locations;
• Pay attention to weather information and the instructions of Civil Protection and Security Forces.

ANEPC | Communication and Awareness Division