NOTICE No./14/DCS/2023
DATE 7-6-2023

NOTICE TO THE POPULATION

RAIN, THUNDER AND STRONG WIND – PREVENTIVE MEASURES

NATIONAL EMERGENCY AND CIVIL PROTECTION AUTHORITY

1.SITUATION

According to information provided by the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) until Friday, June 9th:

• Rainfall at times heavy with conditions for hail and thunderstorms from afternoon today (07JUN) in the North region, generalizing to the whole territory tomorrow (08JUN), during the morning in some places in the South region and, with greater intensity, in the North regions and Center in particular from the afternoon;
• Wind from the south quadrant intensifying tomorrow (08JUN) in the western coastal strip and in the lands high, blowing sometimes strong and with gusts.

2. EXPECTED EFFECTS

In view of this meteorological framework, the following effects may occur:

• Occurrence of floods in urban areas, caused by accumulation of rainwater by obstruction of drainage systems;
• Occurrence of floods, potentiated by the overflow of the bed of some watercourses, rivers and streams;
• Instability of slopes, leading to mass movements (slides, landslides and others) caused by water infiltration, which can be enhanced by the removal of vegetation cover following rural fires, or by saturation of the ground;
• Dragging onto roadways of loose objects, or the detachment of movable or poorly fixed structures, due to episodes of strong wind, which they can cause accidents with vehicles in circulation or passers-by on public roads;
• Slippery road surface, and formation of water.

3. PREVENTIVE MEASURES

The National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANEPC) recalls that the possible impact of these effects can be minimized, especially through undertaking appropriate behaviour, for which reason, and particularly in the historically more vulnerable areas, it is recommended to adopt and disseminate the main self-protection measures for these situations, namely:

• Ensure the clearing of rainwater drainage systems and the removal of aggregates and other objects that can be dragged or create obstacles to the free flow of water;
• Ensure adequate fixing of loose structures, namely scaffolding, placards and other suspended structures;
• Take special care when circulating and staying close to wooded areas, being aware for the possibility of falling branches and trees, due to stronger wind;
• Take special care when driving along riverside areas that are historically more vulnerable to overflowing water courses, preventing circulation and permanence in these locations;
• Adopt defensive driving, reducing speed and taking special care with the possible formation of water tables on the roads;
• Do not cross flooded areas, in order to avoid dragging people or vehicles for holes in the pavement or open sewers;
• Do not practice activities related to the sea, namely sport fishing, sports nautical facilities and seaside walks, avoiding the parking of vehicles too close from the seafront;
• Pay attention to meteorological information and indications from Civil Protection and Security Forces

ANEPC | Communication and Awareness Division