Remember the dire weather warnings I have mentioned and how they haven’t affected us on this trip? Below is a message I received this morning from the VRBO apartment manager. In all the time we have been travelling, this is the first message like this that I can remember.
IMPORTANT WEATHER ALERT – STORMS BRUNA & CHARLES | 10–11 NOVEMBER
Dear Steven,
We would like to bring to your attention the current severe weather conditions affecting Portugal due to Storm Bruna, which is already in the country, and the arrival of Storm Charles, expected to further worsen conditions tomorrow, Wednesday, 11 November.
The storms are bringing heavy rainfall, strong winds, rough seas and a risk of localised flooding and falling trees or branches.
For your safety, we strongly recommend taking the following precautions:
Avoid unnecessary travel and outdoor activities during periods of severe weather. Keep windows and balcony doors securely closed. Remove or secure any loose items from balconies and terraces. Avoid coastal areas, riversides and places exposed to strong winds. Be particularly careful when travelling, as flooding and road disruptions may occur.
Some outdoor activities, tourist attractions and transport services may also be affected.
Our team will remain available throughout your stay. If you need anything, have any concerns or require assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We will be happy to help in any way we can.
For emergencies, please call 112.
Thank you for your understanding. Please take care and stay safe!
And, sure enough, the rain has been coming in waves and when it does, it pours down. We went out for a meal between downpours and the restaurants were all nearly empty and there were almost no shoppers. The water on the streets around us is already overflowing on to the sidewalks.
We are back inside and that’s where we will stay for at least Tuesday, the 10th. Our apartment is pretty snug and comfortable and, since we are on the 4th floor, I’m not too worried about being flooded.