- Storm Charles struck the Portuguese island of Madeira on Tuesday with 130km/h winds.
- The Portuguese government advised people to stay home, leading to the shutdown of schools and businesses nationwide.
- More than 300 flights in and out of Portugal were cancelled due to the storm.
- The Web Summit technology conference in Lisbon cancelled Wednesday's events due to the storm.
- By mid-afternoon, only the Algarve region remained on red alert, the highest level of emergency warning.
- The national weather agency, IPMA, recorded wind gusts of more than 120km/h (75mph) in some areas.
- For the first time in living memory, about 8,000 schools in Portugal cancelled classes due to the storm.
- The Interior Minister stated that the government organized its response in accordance with the weather forecast.
Storm Charles has wreaked havoc across Portugal, resulting in over 300 flight cancellations and the closure of all schools and non-essential businesses nationwide. The storm, which brought heavy rain and winds exceeding 120km/h (75mph), prompted the government to issue a state of alert.16
In Lisbon, the capital, streets were largely deserted as authorities advised residents to stay home. The national weather agency, IPMA, recorded significant wind gusts, leading to fears of severe damage. Despite the storm's intensity, it passed without causing major destruction.
The Web Summit technology conference, attended by around 70,000 people, canceled its events for the day, while a national supermarket chain closed its stores. The government’s proactive measures included shutting down operations at four international airports and suspending public services.4
For the first time in living memory, approximately 8,000 schools across the country canceled classes due to the storm's forecast. By mid-afternoon, only the southern Algarve region remained on red alert, the highest level of emergency warning, which initially covered more than half of Portugal.57
As the storm subsided, the government and event organizers expressed optimism for recovery, with plans to resume activities soon. The Web Summit organizers reassured attendees that the conference would continue the following day, promising a busy schedule of rescheduled events.
“The storm brought wind gusts over 120km/h, with the Algarve remaining on red alert into mid-afternoon. Web Summit in Lisbon, attended by about 70,000 people, cancelled Wednesday's events, but organizers emailed attendees that the conference would resume Thursday.”
