The possibility of a new rise in the level of the Douro River led, this Monday, several traders in Porto’s riverside area to activate informal prevention plans, protecting goods and reorganizing spaces in a silent race against time. The scenario is still one of expectation, but the threat of flooding has once again taken hold in one of the most vulnerable areas of the city, on a day marked by worsening weather conditions in the north of the country.
According to the Lusa agency, Municipal Civil Protection issued a preventive alert given the forecast of intense precipitation and the possibility of flooding in the Douro estuary. The information began to circulate during the morning and, even before any formal contact, there were traders acting on their own initiative.
First reactions before the official warning
In Miragaia, in the middle of the afternoon, the atmosphere was one of constant vigilance. Some establishments kept their doors open, but with fewer customers than usual.
Clarice Santos, owner of a traditional restaurant, started storing crockery and more fragile objects early on. Alone, she did what she could, while waiting for more concrete instructions. If the situation worsens, he admits that he will have to ask for logistical support to remove heavy equipment.
Shortly afterwards, the presence of a Civil Protection vehicle near Fonte da Colhe reinforced the feeling of alert. A paper notice, with useful contacts, self-protection measures and identification of historically most exposed areas, was delivered to traders and customers. The message was simple: wait, watch and prepare.
Memory of recent floods weighs on decisions
Further ahead, in a small hairdressing salon, the day off turned into an afternoon of impromptu work. Lucília Santos lifted furniture, moved equipment off the floor and recalled previous episodes in which water completely destroyed her space. The nervousness is contained, but evident. Experience has taught him that, in these situations, anticipating can make a difference.
There are also those who trust less official signs. Manuel Santos, owner of a cafe in the Alfândega area, explains that he learned to read the territory in a different way. For you, the first alerts don’t come by phone. They arrive through the sewers. When the rats start to appear, he says, it’s because the water isn’t far away. This time, he hasn’t seen them yet, which leads him to believe that the worst won’t be immediate.
Emptier riverside and traders paying attention to the Douro
In Ribeira, persistent rain and wind kept tourists away and left empty terraces. Inside the stores, some traders carefully read the notice distributed. An owner of a souvenir shop, with a direct view of the river, explains that the Douro remains calm. As long as this is the case, everything stays in place. If the level rises, the products go upstairs, as has happened on other occasions.
Civil Protection recommends careful monitoring of flood periods, especially when they coincide with high discharges from the Crestuma dam. It also advises the safeguarding of essential assets, preparation for possible water, gas and electricity cuts and strict compliance with security perimeters that may be defined. It is also not advisable to drive or park in areas prone to flooding, as well as crossing flooded areas.
Joseph depression prolongs meteorological instability
According to , the worsening of the weather is associated with the Joseph depression, which follows Ingrid and which began to affect the continent today with persistent rain, strong winds, snow in the highlands and sea disturbances.
The IPMA predicts that its effects will last throughout the week, with the passage of several fronts until the weekend. On the banks of the Douro, the order remains: wait, but don’t let your guard down.
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