LISBON, Portugal (BN24)— Storm Claudia has left a trail of destruction across Portugal and parts of Britain, killing three people, injuring dozens, and triggering severe flooding, authorities said Saturday.
In Portugal, rescue teams discovered the bodies of an elderly couple inside their flooded home in Fernao Ferro, located across the River Tagus from Lisbon. Authorities said the couple had apparently been asleep when rising waters engulfed their home, leaving them unable to escape.
Later on Thursday, a tornado struck Albufeira in southern Portugal. Emergency services reported that the tornado destroyed caravans at a local camping site, killing an 85-year-old British woman. Twenty-eight people were injured at a nearby hotel, two of whom remained hospitalized with serious injuries. Regional civil protection commander Vitor Vaz Pinto confirmed the casualties.
President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa issued a statement expressing “his solidarity with the family of the victim who died” in Albufeira and wished a swift recovery for those injured. Meanwhile, the Portuguese weather service IPMA placed the Algarve region, as well as the districts of Beja and Setubal, on amber alert, its second-highest warning level.
Storm Claudia has also affected neighboring Spain, with authorities reporting days of extreme weather conditions. By Saturday, the storm had reached Britain and Ireland, bringing heavy rainfall and strong winds.
In Britain, severe flooding hit Monmouth and the surrounding areas in southeastern Wales. South Wales Fire and Rescue Service reported ongoing rescues, evacuations, and welfare checks as water levels continued to rise. A Welsh government spokesperson noted that “Storm Claudia has caused significant flooding in parts of Wales overnight, which continues to affect homes, businesses, transport, and energy infrastructure.”
Aerial footage from Monmouth showed streets and residential areas submerged after a nearby river burst its banks. Natural Resources Wales has issued 11 flood warnings, including four severe warnings, and 17 flood alerts to mitigate risks to residents.
Across England, the Environment Agency reported 49 active flood warnings and 134 flood alerts, signaling widespread disruption in communities and public services. Authorities have urged residents to remain vigilant, avoid flooded areas, and follow local safety instructions.
As Storm Claudia continues to move across Europe, emergency services in affected regions remain on high alert, coordinating relief efforts and monitoring rivers and coastal areas for further flooding risks. The storm underscores the growing challenges extreme weather events pose to communities across the continent.
Credit: REUTERS
