Quick Read
- Storm Kristin caused at least six deaths and widespread destruction in Portugal on January 28, 2026.
- Winds reached a record 202 km/h, leaving nearly one million people without electricity.
- Portugal’s Monte Real Air Base sustained damage, affecting at least two F-16 fighter jets.
- Leiria, one of the worst-hit cities, faces a year-long recovery, according to its mayor.
- The storm, described as a ‘meteorological bomb,’ has moved towards Spain.
LISBON (Azat TV) – Storm Kristin unleashed widespread destruction across mainland Portugal on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, claiming at least six lives and leaving nearly a million people without electricity. The powerful weather system, characterized by record-breaking wind speeds, caused catastrophic damage to civilian infrastructure and even impacted a significant portion of the nation’s F-16 fighter jet fleet, prompting urgent calls for a national response and a declaration of calamity.
The storm made landfall in the Leiria area before progressing inland, battering eight districts including Lisbon, Coimbra, and Castelo Branco. The National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority recorded over 5,400 incidents by Wednesday night, ranging from toppled trees and torn-off roofs to severe flooding and landslides. The Portuguese government has described the event as an “extreme climatic event.”
Record-Breaking Winds and Devastation
Storm Kristin brought unprecedented wind gusts, with a peak speed of 202 kilometers per hour recorded in municipalities such as Coimbra, Figueira da Foz, Mira, and Cantanhede. This figure shattered Portugal’s previous national record of 176.4 km/h, set during Storm Leslie in 2018. The Portuguese Institute for the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) classified Kristin as a rare phenomenon, comparable only to severe storms in 2009 and 2018, describing it as a “small meteorological bomb” with an associated “sting jet.”
The ferocity of the winds left a trail of chaos. In the coastal city of Figueira da Foz, a Ferris wheel overturned, and vehicles were damaged by falling debris. Leiria, one of the hardest-hit municipalities, experienced “Dantesque scenes,” according to Mayor Gonçalo Lopes. “We have churches without roofs, sports centers without roofs, many houses without roof tiles, houses and cars completely destroyed, cranes overturned,” Lopes told Lusa news agency, likening the impact to a “post-disaster scenario, very similar to what we usually see on television in a war.” Leiria was isolated for hours, with residents facing power outages, irregular water supply, and interrupted mobile communications. Lopes urged the government to declare a situation of calamity, estimating that recovery efforts could take up to a year.
Human Toll and Military Impact of Storm Kristin
The human cost of Storm Kristin was devastating. Three fatalities were reported in Leiria, with additional deaths in Marinha Grande, Silves, and Vila Franca. Victims included individuals struck by metal sheets, trapped in collapsed structures, or hit by falling trees. At its peak, the storm left approximately one million customers without electricity, according to Euronews, while BBC News reported over 850,000 households affected.
Beyond civilian infrastructure, the storm inflicted significant damage on Portugal’s military assets. At Monte Real Air Base (Airbase No. 5) in Leiria, a hangar housing F-16 fighter jets lost its roof and doors due to winds reaching 178 km/h before monitoring equipment was destroyed. Photos from the scene, shared by Defence-UA, showed metal structures impacting at least two F-16s, which appeared to be under maintenance at the time. With Portugal’s Air Force operating up to 28 F-16 fighters, the storm potentially damaged between 7% and 14% of the country’s entire fighter aviation fleet. A civilian airfield near Coimbra was also destroyed.
Government Response and Ongoing Vigilance
Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro visited the headquarters of the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority on Wednesday, expressing sorrow for the fatalities and confirming that the government was in contact with local authorities to assess the full extent of the damage. Montenegro stated that all instruments available would be used to restore the situation quickly and did not rule out declaring a situation of calamity, which would allow Portugal to request activation of the European Civil Protection Mechanism for assistance.
As Storm Kristin began to move away from Portugal towards Spain, bringing snow, rain, and strong winds to the Iberian Peninsula, authorities continued to urge vigilance. While weather improvements were predicted for Portugal, red warnings for sea turbulence remained in effect for coastal areas like Porto, Viana do Castelo, and Braga, with waves forecast to reach up to 14 meters. Eleven districts were placed under yellow precipitation warnings, and snow was expected on the highest points of Serra da Estrela.
The unprecedented intensity and widespread impact of Storm Kristin, affecting both critical civilian infrastructure and military capabilities, underscore Portugal’s increasing vulnerability to extreme weather events. The calls for a national calamity declaration highlight the significant challenge of disaster recovery and preparedness in an era of unpredictable climatic shifts.