Storms: Historic flash floods on holiday island – video shows force of nature

Storm in Madeira: Masses of water roll through the capital Funchal after heavy rainfall. © Twitter Screenshot/ MeteoTrasMontPT

Severe storms swept across the Portuguese holiday island of Madeira. Record rainfall caused flooding and landslides on the Atlantic island.

Funchal – Storm "Oscar" swept across the Azores. Heavy rainfall has fallen on the holiday island of Madeira (Portugal). Weather stations record historic rainfall for Portugal. Within 24 hours, more than 600 millimeters were measured at a station on the Atlantic island.

Storms on holiday island: water masses after record rainfall on Madeira

After the heavy rain, masses of water rolled from the mountainous Atlantic island towards the sea, carrying mud and stones with them. How a huge tidal wave built up in seconds after heavy rainfall is documented in a short video that spreads on social networks. Suddenly, the water in a stream in the capital Funchal swells, and a tsunami-like dark broth inexorably makes its way.

Storm "Oscar": Red alert on the Atlantic island of Madeira

The worst on the island of Madeira is already over, reports the Portuguese news agency Lusa, citing the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA). Before the storm "Oscar", the highest warning level "red" was in effect for Monday (5 June) and Tuesday (6 June) for the south coast and for the mountainous region on the Atlantic island.

Flights were cancelled and schools closed. The University of Madeira also suspended classes as a precautionary measure. In some parts of the island, landslides occurred, roads had to be temporarily closed and trees fell. None of the incidents were serious. According to an initial assessment by the Civil Protection of Madeira, the municipalities of Funchal, Santa Cruz, Machico and Câmara de Lobos were particularly affected.

Storm "Oscar" is heading for mainland Portugal

However, in the mountainous region of the island of Madeira, the "yellow" warning level remains in place on Wednesday (7 June). Wind gusts of up to 95 km/h are still to be expected.

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Meanwhile, "Oscar" is approaching mainland Portugal. Weather warnings for heavy showers, hail and thunderstorms are in force in eleven regions. According to the current weather forecasts, rain is forecast until next week. It is not until mid-June that the weather in Portugal is expected to improve. Just recently, a hailstorm transformed a holiday resort on Lake Garda into a winter wonderland. (ml)