No. 28/DCS/2023

DATE 29/11/2023 TIME 15:00

NOTICE TO THE POPULATION

PRECIPITATION AND WIND – PREVENTIVE MEASURES

NATIONAL EMERGENCY AND CIVIL PROTECTION AUTHORITY

1.SITUATION

According to information from the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA), precipitation, sometimes heavy, wind and snowfall are expected for the next 48 hours, highlighting the following aspects:

• Persistent, sometimes heavy precipitation across the entire continental territory, from the early hours of tomorrow, November 30th, with special emphasis on the accumulation of precipitation in one hour (20 mm) south of the Montejunto-Estrela mountain system;
• Possibility of thunderstorms in the South region;
• Snow showers in the extreme North and in the highest points of Serra da Estrela, above the elevation of 1400/1500 m;
• Wind up to 30 km/h with gusts of up to 70 km/h in the highlands and on the coast south of Cabo Carvoeiro.

Weather information at www.ipma.pt

Hydrological Information

According to hydrological information provided by the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA), the situation in the river basins is as follows:

• Douro Hydrographic Basin: An increase in flows may occur, but without critical situations;
• Vouga river basin: There may be an increase in inflows to Ribeiradio and Águeda, but without a critical situation;
• Mondego river basin: Inflows to the Aguieira – Fronhas-Raiva system may increase, with an increase in inflows to Coimbra;
• Tagus river basin: An increase in inflows into the Tagus and Sorraia may occur, but without critical situations;
• Sado, Guadiana and Ribeiras do Algarve Basins: Critical situations are not expected, however in the eastern Algarve there may be an increase in inflows into the rivers.

2.EXPECTED EFFECTS

Episodes of intense precipitation, strong winds and snowfall are normally associated with:

• The occurrence of floods 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 beds of some watercourses, rivers and streams;
• The instability of slopes, leading to mass movements (landslides, landslides and others) caused by water infiltration, a phenomenon that can be increased by the removal of vegetation cover following rural fires, or by artificialization of the soil;
• Slippery road surfaces due to the possible formation of water accumulation or the accumulation of ice and/or snow;
• The dragging onto roadways of loose objects, or the detachment of mobile or poorly fixed structures, due to periods of strong wind, which can cause accidents with vehicles in circulation or passers-by on public roads;
• Thermal discomfort in the population due to the combination of low minimum temperature and wind.

3.PREVENTIVE MEASURES

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

• Ensure the unblocking of rainwater drainage systems and the removal of inert materials and other objects that could be dragged or create obstacles to the free flow of water;
• Ensure adequate fixation of loose structures, namely scaffolding, billboards and other suspended structures;
• Take special care when traveling and staying near wooded areas, paying attention to the possibility of falling branches and trees, due to stronger wind;
• Take special care when traveling near the coastline and riverside areas that are historically more vulnerable to rapid flooding, avoiding movement and staying in these places;
• Adopt defensive driving, reducing speed and paying special attention to possible accumulation of snow and/or formation of water tables on roadways;
• Do not cross flooded areas, in order to prevent people or vehicles from being dragged into holes in the pavement or open drains;
• Pay attention to meteorological information and indications from Civil Protection and Security Forces.

ANEPC | Communication and Awareness Division