Portugal cancels more than 300 flights, shuts schools due to Storm Charles

What the report says

Portugal closed schools, shut down many businesses and cancelled more than 300 flights as Storm Charles approached and then moved across the country, according to Al Jazeera. The precautions affected four international airports, hundreds of supermarkets and non-essential public services nationwide, with about 8,000 schools reportedly suspending classes for the first time in living memory. The storm brought heavy rain and strong winds, but the article says it passed without causing severe damage.

In Lisbon, streets were largely empty after the government urged residents to stay home. The national weather agency, IPMA, recorded gusts above 120km/h in some areas, while flooding was reported in parts of the capital. The Web Summit technology conference in Lisbon, which draws about 70,000 people, also cancelled its scheduled events for the day.

The government placed much of the country under high alert, though by mid-afternoon only the Algarve remained on red alert. Prime Minister Luis Montenegro chaired a crisis unit with several ministers and officials to monitor developments. Interior Minister Luis Neves said the response matched the forecast and rejected claims that authorities had overreacted.

Al Jazeera noted that the government’s strong preparations came after criticism of its handling of Storm Kristin in January, which caused major damage in central Portugal, and after deadly flooding in February. The storm later headed toward Spain, where some protest activity was adjusted because of the weather.