Storm Charles hit three Madeira municipalities hardest on Wednesday, trapping residents in their homes and blocking roads with floods and mudslides. Santa Cruz, Câmara de Lobos and Machico reported the most incidents, local officials said.
Santa Cruz Logs 55 Incidents, the Island's Highest Count
By 10:00, Santa Cruz had logged 55 occurrences, the highest count of any municipality on the Regional Civil Protection Service's (SRPC) platform. Mayor Élia Ascensão gave an update on the toll.
50 percent of the incidents reported came in after 06:00 today, and half of them are already resolved.
Élia Ascensão, Mayor of Santa Cruz
The mayor described "many land movements" and "many roads closed." Some families remained trapped in their homes. They could not leave because of blocked roads or fallen trees.
Two Injured, Ten Homes Flooded in Santa Cruz
Ascensão also reported two people injured in an urban fire and 10 homes flooded, none of which required residents to be rehoused. The worst-hit areas were the parishes of Camacha, Santo da Serra and the higher ground of Santa Cruz.
She also raised concern about mud and debris "coming down the mountain" and the storm's impact on the coastline. The priority now, she said, is "reinforcing human and mechanical resources."
Câmara de Lobos Posts 32 Occurrences, One Family Displaced
The SRPC recorded 32 occurrences in Câmara de Lobos. Mayor Celso Bettencourt credited past investment with limiting the damage.
Municipal and regional government work on prevention, and the investments made after February 20, 2010, prevented more serious incidents, considering that it rained twice as much as on that day.
Celso Bettencourt, Mayor of Câmara de Lobos
The parish of Curral das Freiras was hit hardest. Crews are now focused on cleanup. Landslides, rockfalls, fallen trees and overflowing watercourses dragged debris onto roads, making traffic difficult. Bettencourt said one family needs to be temporarily rehoused.
We have no disaster. Between today and tomorrow, everything will be clean.
Celso Bettencourt, Mayor of Câmara de Lobos
| Municipality | Occurrences |
|---|---|
| Santa Cruz | 55 |
| Câmara de Lobos | 32 |
| Machico | 32 |
Five Roads Blocked as Machico's Downtown Floods
In Machico, on Madeira's eastern tip, the town center flooded, along with two parking lots where cars were parked. The SRPC also logged 32 occurrences there. Municipal official Hugo Marques said the situation was under control.
No one's life is at risk, but we will try to save as many belongings as possible.
Hugo Marques, Municipal Official, Machico
Marques said five roads in the municipality remained blocked and urged residents to stay in their homes, since rain was still falling in the area.
Red Warning Eases After Gusts Near 130 Km/h
Madeira began feeling the storm's effects around 21:00 on Tuesday. The Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) placed the whole island under a red warning, its highest level. The warning covered heavy rain and wind until 06:00 Wednesday.
The warning was later downgraded to orange, with forecasts of gusts of up to 130 kilometers an hour in higher areas until 12:00. Storm Charles dropped more rain on the island than the 2010 flood that killed 47 people, the Regional Government said separately on Wednesday.
Schools Shut, About 20 Flights Cancelled Island-Wide
Because of the weather, the Regional Government ordered schools and non-essential services closed until 13:00. Hiking trails, museums, gardens and quintas were also shut. Three cruise ship calls were cancelled, along with the Lobo Marinho ferry's crossings between Madeira and Porto Santo.
Traffic at Madeira International Airport was also disrupted. About 20 flights, combining arrivals and departures, were cancelled. That is according to the website of ANA - Aeroportos de Portugal, checked around 09:00.
Source: jm-madeira.pt
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