More than 200 flights were cancelled across Portugal on November 11, 2026, as Storm Charles brought heavy rainfall and gale-force winds into the country. Schools and hundreds of supermarkets and businesses also shut down that day due to the severe weather conditions.
Emergency Services and Government Response to Storm Charles
The Portuguese government took pre-emptive action by placing all emergency services and army units on high alert, shutting down non-essential public services, and advising the population to remain indoors. Civil Protection Commander Mario Silvestre confirmed authorities maintained elevated alerts for flash floods, strong winds, and rough seas, responding to 538 registered incidents since midnight on November 11.
Meteorological Details and Storm Path
Portugal’s
weather service, IPMA, reported that the eye of Storm Charles split into two over the Atlantic Ocean, causing the storm to weaken before reaching land. The storm made landfall first in the southern Algarve region and was expected to affect southern Portugal and the Lisbon region later in the afternoon of November 11.
Localized Impacts in Madeira and Lisbon
Storm Charles caused flooding and downed trees in the Madeira archipelago, where emergency services rescued a man swept away by floodwaters in his garage. Despite the incidents, no casualties were reported. In Lisbon, road tunnels were mostly closed due to flooding, a situation exacerbated by rainfall from
the earlier Storm Bruna, which had also caused severe flooding in the region.
Context of Recent Storm Activity and Government Criticism
Storm Charles followed several days of heavy rain brought by Storm Bruna that caused flooding across Portugal and parts of Spain. The government faced criticism for a delayed response to storms earlier in 2026. These prior storms included closures and evacuations, such as the relocation of over 3,000 people from Piedralaves in central Spain due to dam overflow fears.
