Portugal Shuts Schools and Public Services as Storm Charles Nears

Portugal shut all schools and non-essential public services on November 11 as Storm Charles moved toward the mainland. The government urged people to stay home ahead of expected heavy rain and dangerous coastal conditions, with gusts forecast to reach 140 kph (85 mph). The closure affected about 8,000 schools nationwide, an unprecedented step in living memory, according to the account provided.

Lisbon was unusually quiet, with empty buses and some streets flooded by blocked drains. A national supermarket chain closed its shops, and an international technology conference in the capital canceled the day’s program; about 70,000 people were attending the event.

The storm’s strongest impact was expected along Portugal’s Atlantic coast on the afternoon and evening of November 11, arriving from the southwest. Charles had crossed Madeira on November 10, bringing winds of up to 130 kph (81 mph). The closures came after the center-right government faced criticism over its response to January’s Storm Kristin, which felled thousands of trees and caused widespread damage that was still being repaired.