The Portuguese government approved a 2.5 billion euro relief package on Sunday to help citizens and businesses rebuild after Storm Kristin tore through central Portugal with record-breaking winds exceeding 200 kilometers per hour, leaving at least six people dead and causing unprecedented destruction across the region.
The devastating storm struck on the night of January 27-28, bringing wind gusts that reached 208.8 km/h in the Coimbra region and unofficially 238 km/h in the Leiria district, surpassing records previously held by Hurricane Leslie. At the peak of the storm, nearly one million people, approximately 10 percent of the population, were left without electricity.
The district of Leiria, a major industrial hub in central Portugal, bore the brunt of the destruction and has been described as unrecognizable following the direct hit. The storm destroyed the municipal stadium and severely damaged the Monte Real Air Base, including parts of the F-16 fighter fleet. Regional officials estimate damages in Leiria alone could reach between 1.5 and 2 billion euros.
The government extended a state of calamity in 69 municipalities until February 8, with authorities warning that more heavy rain and flooding are expected in the coming days. As of Monday, nearly 170,000 households remained without electricity, and residents have been queuing for emergency building materials including donated roof tiles to repair their damaged homes.
Prime Minister Luis Montenegro announced that the relief package would include loans and incentives to support reconstruction efforts. The government is also exploring access to grants from the European Solidarity Fund and unused European Union recovery funds to supplement the domestic aid package.
Residents in affected areas described conditions of chaos and misery, with roofs torn off homes and windows shattered across entire neighborhoods. Emergency services reported carrying out 34 land rescues and 17 water rescues during the storm. The Portuguese civil protection service warned that with rivers already swollen and soil waterlogged, the fresh rainfall could trigger flash flooding in urban areas and cause landslides.
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