Deadly 2026 storms leave Portugal with billions in damages and 18 dead
A series of violent storms battered mainland Portugal in early 2026, leaving at least 18 people dead and causing widespread destruction. High winds, flooding, and landslides flattened homes, severed roads, and knocked out power across multiple districts. Authorities now face a recovery effort estimated to cost billions of euros.
The storms—Kristin, Leonardo, and Marta—struck in quick succession, tearing through the country over several weeks. Leiria, Coimbra, Santarém, and Lisbon suffered the worst damage, with Leiria city alone reporting losses of 792 million euros. Entire communities were cut off as floodwaters surged, forcing preemptive evacuations in high-risk zones. Hundreds of injuries were recorded, and many residents were left displaced.
The government declared an emergency, pledging 3.5 billion euros in immediate relief funds. To coordinate recovery, Paulo Fernandes was named head of the Central Region Reconstruction Task Force, with total damages projected between five and six billion euros. Despite the scale of destruction, requests for aid remained in line with the usual annual figures for these regions.
Energy providers Endesa and EDP responded by approving all 4,270 applications for payment deferrals. Customers affected by outages received credits for fixed fees and were not charged for days without electricity. Repayment plans were adjusted individually, with extensions of up to six months offered to those in need.
The storms left a trail of devastation, but recovery efforts are now underway. Emergency funding has been allocated, and support measures for households and businesses have been put in place. Officials continue to assess the long-term impact on infrastructure and local economies.
