What happens when a country barely has time to dry out before the next downpour arrives? Portugal is finding out the hard way.
Days after Storm Kristin tore through the country, killing five people and knocking out power to hundreds of thousands.
Authorities are bracing for yet another round of heavy rain.
Around 200,000 homes were still in the dark as the weekend began, with central districts like Leiria hit hardest.
The national weather agency has put all of mainland Portugal on alert until Monday.
Forecasts warn of intense rainfall and winds gusting up to 100km/h.
With rivers already swollen and ground fully soaked, civil protection officials fear flash flooding in cities.
Along with landslides and falling rocks in vulnerable areas.
“Conditions are ripe for further damage,” emergency officials warned.
Kristin Causes Devastation
They urged residents to secure loose items, steer clear of rivers and coastlines, and drive only if absolutely necessary.
Kristin’s impact was brutal. Hurricane-force winds uprooted nearly 5,800 trees, flooded neighbourhoods and disrupted travel nationwide.
Emergency teams carried out dozens of rescues on land and water.
Tragedy struck in Batalha, near Leiria, where a 73-year-old man died after falling from a roof while making repairs.
With more rain on the way, the city’s mayor appealed for volunteers to help fix damaged homes.
For many, the question now isn’t just when the power will return—but whether Portugal can catch its breath before the skies open again.
