British woman, 85, is killed and dozens injured as Storm Claudia winds rip through Portugal holiday campsite
A British woman has been killed after Storm Claudia winds ripped through a holiday campsite in Portugal.
The 85-year-old was reported missing from a campsite in Albufeira, in the southern region of the Algarve, and was later found dead.
Authorities confirmed the woman was caught in the strong winds that swept through the area this morning.
Regional civil protection commander Vitor Vaz Pinto said the storm caused widespread damage in the region and injured dozens of people.
Two people were seriously injured in the accident, while the rest suffered lighter injuries. Among those affected are Portuguese, Spanish and British citizens.
Portuguese broadcaster SIC described the weather event as an ‘extreme wind phenomenon’ that occurred around 10am, causing flying debris and structural damage across the site.
Two people were seriously injured, the rest had minor injuries
Portuguese broadcaster SIC described the weather event as an ‘extreme wind phenomenon’ that occurred around 10 a.m.
Pictured are strong winds in Albufeira as Storm Claudia crossed the Portuguese coast
Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa offered ‘solidarity with the family of the victim who lost his life as a result of Storm Claudia passing through Albufeira this morning’.
Emergency services confirmed 28 people were injured in two affected areas in Albufeira.
That number includes six young children, ages two months to seven, who all suffered minor injuries, and 23 adults ages 24 to 70, according to Portugal’s National Institute of Medical Emergencies.
Portugal’s national weather agency, IPMA, said experts are currently examining conditions in the Algarve to determine whether a hurricane was forming as Storm Claudia ravaged the region.
It was stated that initial radar readings indicated that the probability of a hurricane touching down was ‘very high’.
The agency emphasized that predicting such events remains challenging, and the ability to determine when and where they may develop is limited.
According to IPMA, the worst of the storm came through the region between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., bringing destructive winds and heavy rain.
Elsewhere in the south, the Faro, Setúbal and Beja regions remain under orange alert due to persistent, potentially heavy rainfall and thunderstorms, the IPMA website said.
Albufeira Mayor Rui Cristina expressed his condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the extreme wind.
Damage occurred at a campsite in Albufeira, Portugal, following strong winds from Storm Claudia
Authorities confirmed the victim was caught in the high winds that swept through the area this morning
Portugal’s national weather agency, IPMA, said experts are currently examining conditions in the Algarve to determine whether a hurricane was forming as Storm Claudia ravaged the region.
Waves break along the Lisbon coast as the ocean churns with wind and waves during Storm Claudia.
According to IPMA, the bulk of the storm passed through the region between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., bringing devastating winds and heavy rain.
Ms. Cristina said: ‘I have been following the situation caused by the wind phenomenon affecting our municipality from the field since the first hour.
‘Today I went to the most affected areas, including the campsite where the scenery was truly heartbreaking.
‘There is a record of multiple injuries and one fatal victim, an 85-year-old British citizen. I express my deepest condolences to his family and loved ones on behalf of myself and the Municipality.
‘We are working with all municipal vehicles and civil protection organizations to support the victims and restore conditions of safety and normality as quickly as possible.’
Storm Claudia is also causing damage in Britain as emergency crews in Monmouth, Wales, grapple with ‘severe and widespread’ flooding that has left parts of the town inaccessible.
A major incident was declared overnight after rising waters closed many neighborhoods, prompting emergency evacuations and a number of water rescue operations.
Police, paramedics, Mountain Rescue teams and the Coast Guard spent the night performing welfare checks and helping residents living in homes surrounded by fast-flowing floodwaters escape.
Aerial images of Monmouthshire, South Wales show devastation following Storm Claudia
MONMOUTH: Rescuers help locals during floods
MANCHESTER: A tree on the ground floor of Milton St John’s School collapsed onto a terraced house
From Monmouth, disruption spreads across the UK, where the storm’s impact continues to be felt.
More than 90 flood warnings remain in force across the country, with authorities warning that saturated ground and overflowing rivers pose ongoing dangers.
Although the yellow rain warning covering central and northern England, the South West and Wales ended at 6am, conditions showed little sign of easing.
In the early hours of the morning, Natural Resources Wales issued four severe flood alerts, warning that ‘there is a significant risk to life and significant disruption to the community is expected’ as incessant rainfall continues to raise river levels.
Authorities say emergency services are stretching from the Welsh border to parts of England, the aftermath of Storm Claudia will remain dangerous throughout the day and communities living along sensitive waterways need to remain vigilant.
