Rain, thunderstorm and strong winds associated with storm Felix were felt throughout the Algarve this Saturday with the weather station in Carvoeiro confirming a maximum speed of 122 kmph, 75mph in old money.The wind was at its greatest during early evening on Saturday - between 18:00 and 20:00 – leaving a trail of damage including fallen trees, signage, flooding and power cuts.
The Civil Protection Authority reported trees down in São Brás de Alportel, Loulé, Alcoutim, Portimão, Quarteira, Odeceixe, Albufeira, Vila do Bispo, Alvor, Lagoa and Lagos, pretty much all the region.
In Vila do Bispo there were problems with the electricity supply and in Olhão, a sports hall lost large sections of its roof - again.
Work to repair the roof of the municipal sports hall had only just been completed after storm damage in 2016. The pavilion will have to be closed again, according to irritated mayor, António Pina who is going to have words with the contractor as the new roof should have withstood the wind, being newly attached.
For tomorrow, the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere predicts more rain, strong wind and waves of up to 8 metres.
The council areas most affected during Saturday's storm were Portimão, Faro and Monchique, but there was damage in all counties except Alcoutim, Castro Marim and Vila Real de Santo Antóno.
Walls collapsed, trees fell, dogs cowered and the high wind finally eased, leaving Sunday as blustery, eye-watering and clear.
In the Algarve, the ports of Lagos, Alvor, Portimão, Albufeira, Tavira and Vila Real de Santo António are closed.
The Agriculture Minister, Luís Capoulas Santos, said that in the first 10 days of March the country had had rainfall, "almost double than in normal for March."
Speaking to Diário de Notícias, the minister of agriculture stressed that "this is not yet the end of the drought problem, but it is already part of its resolution. The dams are gaining in volume north of the Tagus but in the south of the country, problems remain, particularly in the Sado basin."
For Monday in the Algarve, expect high seas, high winds and more rain but with sunny periods.
