Madeira has recorded a new national historical maximum value of precipitation, during the passage of Storm Oscar through the region, announced the Portuguese Institute of Atmosphere and Sea (IPMA).
According to their website, the new daily national precipitation extreme is now 497.5 millimeters per square metre compared to the previous maximum of 346.8 millimeters, recorded on the 8th of April 2008.
“Until mid-afternoon on the 6th [Tuesday] heavy and persistent precipitation was recorded, sometimes accompanied by thunderstorms, reduced visibility, and strong winds from the southern quadrant (gusts measured up to 100 km / h in the highlands and 80 km / h in the coastal regions). The most affected areas were the south coast and mountainous areas.
Ninety-five people were made homeless due to the extreme conditions, while schools, public and private enterprises were closed, with the airport being particularly affected as dozens of flights were cancelled affecting around 15,000 passengers.
The Regional Civil Protection Service of Madeira reported more than 160 occurrences, mainly related to landslides, falling trees, and flooding. During a press conference, IPMA regional delegate Victor Prior indicated that the red warning limit – 60 mm/6 hours (60 liters per square metre in six hours) had been “largely exceeded” during the storm.
180 mm were recorded in Chão do Areeiro [mountain range overlooking Funchal] in six hours, it was three times more,” he said, explaining that in the mountainous regions the rainfall reached a cumulative 600 mm in 24 hours, the highest value since rainfall records began.
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com
Photo: JM
