Storm Charles brought much of Portugal to a standstill on Wednesday, 11 November, as airlines cancelled more than 200 flights in and out of the country and schools nationwide closed, Reuters and The Associated Press (AP) reported.
Hundreds of supermarkets and many businesses also shut, and the government closed non-essential public services, according to both agencies. Euronews also reported that all schools and non-essential public services were closed for the day.
Storm weakened as it reached the mainland
Portugal’s weather service IPMA said the storm’s centre split in two over the Atlantic, Reuters and Euronews reported.
Red warnings, the highest level, had been in force across large parts of the country, and some were later lowered, AP and Euronews reported. The armed forces were mobilised to support emergency services, according to Reuters and Euronews.
On the Atlantic island of Madeira, the storm caused flooding on Tuesday, Reuters and AP reported. No casualties had been reported, according to both agencies.
The Portuguese government had faced criticism over its response to Storm Kristin in January, Reuters and AP reported, and both agencies said the authorities had prepared heavily for Charles as a result.
Warnings in southern and western Spain
Spain’s state weather agency AEMET had warned of heavy, persistent rain, very strong gusts and rough seas in the south and west of the Iberian Peninsula, with Wednesday expected to be the worst day, according to its special warning and Reuters.
Charles followed Storm Bruna, which had already brought heavy rain to Portugal and Spain since Sunday, according to Reuters and AEMET. AEMET said rain and wind should ease from Thursday, 12 November, while showers may continue in the north.
Sources
- Portugal cancels 200-plus flights, shuts schools as Storm Charles hits (Reuters, via WTVB)
- Portugal cancels more than 300 flights, shuts schools due to Storm Charles (Al Jazeera / AP)
- Portugal closes all schools and non-essential services over Storm Charles (Euronews)
- Aviso especial 38/2026: borrascas Bruna y Charles (AEMET)
Photo: Diego Delso / CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
