16/10/2023
YELLOW WARNINGS FOR RAIN NOW IN PLACE AT VIANA DO CASTELO; BRAGA AND VILA REAL DISTRICTS
WE REMENBER THIS POPULATION WARNING
Precipitation, wind and rough seas - preventive measures 🌧⛈
1. SITUATION
The Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) plans for the next days:
💦 Precipitation, sometimes strong and persistent, especially in the North and Central regions (occasionally in the South region), from the end of the day tomorrow (16OUT) and during Tuesday (17OUT);
🌬 Winds from the south to intensify from 2pm. In the West Coast and Highlands, with gusts to 65 km/h and 90 km/h respectively, intensifying on Tuesday, October 17, with gusts up to 80 km/h on the coast and up to 100 km/h in the highlands. Favourable conditions for extreme wind events;
🌊Strong rough seas with waves up to 5.5m from early Tuesday (17Oct), with peaks up to 9m north of Cape Raso, and waves up to 5m south of Cape Raso.
2. EXPECTED EFFECTS
Typical episodes of transitional seasons, with the occurrence of the first rains, conducive to:
➡️ The occurrence of floods in urban areas, caused by the accumulation of rainwater by obstruction of drainage systems;
➡️ The occurrence of floods, enhanced by the overflow of the bed of some watercourses, rivers and rivers;
➡️ Causing instability of spillway, leading to mass movements (slides, landslides and others) resulting from water saturation, a phenomenon that can be enhanced by the removal of vegetation cover in the wake of rural fires, or by artificialization of soil;
➡️ The contamination of drinking water sources from inertia resulting from rural fires;
➡️ Dragging loose objects into the roadways, or the dismantling of movable or poorly fixed structures, as a result of episodes of strong wind, which can cause accidents with moving vehicles or passers-by on the public road.
3. PREVENTIVE MEASURES
The National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection (ANEPC) reminds that the possible impact of these effects can be minimized, especially by adopting appropriate behaviours, therefore, especially in historically most vulnerable areas, it is recommended to adopt key preventive measures for these situations, namely:
✅Ensure rainwater discharge systems are not obstructed and remove blockages and other objects that can be dragged or create obstacles to the free flow of water;
✅Ensure proper fixing of loose structures, namely scaffolding, cupboards and other suspended structures;
✅ Take special care in circulation and staying near wooded areas, being aware of the possibility of branches and trees falling, as a result of stronger wind;
✅ Take special care in circulation along the coastal seashore and coastal areas historically more vulnerable to coastal flow, avoiding circulation and staying in these places;
✅Not practicing sea-related activities, namely fishing, nautical sports and seaside walks, avoiding parking vehicles very close to the seashore;
✅Adopt a defensive drive, reducing speed and taking special care of the possible formation of water accumulation on the roads;
✅ Do not cross flooded areas, in order to prevent dragging people or vehicles into holes in the pavement or open sewer boxes;
✅ Pay attention to weather information and indications of Civil Protection and Security Forces.