Storm Bruna Brings Flood Risk to Lisbon, Yellow Alert in 8 Districts

Portugal’s civil protection authority warned on Friday that the low-pressure system named Bruna (depressão Bruna) brings a risk of flooding across mainland Portugal, with heavy rain, strong wind and rough seas expected over the coming days. Lisbon is one of eight districts placed under a yellow weather warning.

The ANEPC (Autoridade Nacional de Emergência e Proteção Civil, Portugal’s national emergency and civil protection authority) said the rain could flood urban areas and waterlogged ground, and could set off landslides and collapses as water soaks into the soil.

Which districts are on yellow alert

The IPMA (Instituto Português do Mar e da Atmosfera, Portugal’s weather and sea institute) put the districts of Porto, Setúbal, Viana do Castelo, Lisboa, Leiria, Aveiro, Coimbra and Braga under a yellow warning, the lowest of its alert levels. The warning covered Friday from 15:00 until 00:00 on Saturday, for periods of rain or showers that were at times heavy and came with thunderstorms, CNN Portugal reported.

How long Bruna is expected to last

Reports differ on the timing. According to the IPMA, as cited by CNN Portugal, the mainland and the autonomous regions of Madeira and the Azores will see strong rain, wind and rough seas from Sunday until the following Friday, driven by a depression centered north of the Azores. SÁBADO reported rain from Sunday through Nov. 13. Observador, quoting Civil Protection, said flooding in riverside areas was possible from Friday afternoon and that the effects would be felt until Monday.

Wind, waves and roads

The ANEPC expects strong wind in the highlands and along the northern and central coast, according to SÁBADO, and sea swell with waves up to 4.5 meters. Observador reported gusts of 70 km/h on the west coast and in higher ground.

On the roads, the authority warned that rain can make surfaces slippery and wash loose objects onto the carriageway, where they can cause crashes. It also flagged possible accidents along the coastline.

What Civil Protection is asking residents to do

The ANEPC published a list of precautions, especially for people in vulnerable areas. They include:

• clearing rainwater drains and gutters;
• parking away from trees and from areas that tend to flood;
• securing scaffolding, panels and other hanging structures;
• moving animals, equipment, vehicles and other belongings to safe places;
• closing shutters and windows, above all those facing the wind;
• driving defensively and slowing down.

The authority also asks people not to cross flooded streets, because water can hide holes in the road and open manholes, and to stay away from rivers and streams, in particular where flooding has happened before. Commander Pedro Araújo of the ANEPC told Observador that people should take extra care with temporary structures and with items fixed to building balconies.

What it means for people in Lisbon

For residents of Lisbon and the surrounding district, the immediate concern is surface flooding in low-lying and riverside streets, slippery roads and objects blown loose from balconies and building sites.

The weather also arrives during a week of housing protests in the city. A group called Mais pela Acampada has called a vigil for Saturday, with people gathering at 19:00 in Praça dos Restauradores on the side facing Rossio, then walking in silence to Rossio at 20:30 to form a human chain around the square until 21:00, Observador reported.

What to watch next

The yellow alert announced on Friday applied only until midnight. The IPMA forecasts more rain and wind for the mainland, Madeira and the Azores from Sunday, and SÁBADO reported the wet spell lasting until Nov. 13.

Sources: Observador, CNN Portugal, SÁBADO