Madeira Reels After Storm Francis: 112 Emergencies and Ongoing Alerts

Madeirans awoke to uprooted trees, blocked roads and interrupted power lines after Depression Francis swept across the archipelago. Civil-protection crews logged dozens of incidents in just a few hours, a tally that would climb steadily as squalls refused to ease.

Quick Look: What Matters

• 52 weather-related emergencies recorded by the regional authority before dawn on the 2nd — rising to 112 incidents by the evening of the 4th.

• Most frequent problems: fallen trees, loose construction elements, small landslides.

• Funchal topped the list of affected municipalities, followed by Santa Cruz and Machico.

• No injuries reported, but power cuts, road closures and minor property damage were widespread.

• Meteorologists warn the atmosphere will stay unstable through mid-month, albeit less violently.

Storm Francis Hits Hard and Early

The first days of the year often bring Atlantic disturbances, yet Francis arrived with uncommon persistence. Gusts exceeding 117 km/h lashed the north coast while sheets of rain pounded the south-facing slopes. By 08:00 on day 2, the Proteção Civil dispatch centre had registered 21 tree collapses, 7 structural debris falls and 7 mass-movement events, each demanding chainsaws, excavators or traffic diversions. Rough seas forced the Capitania do Porto do Funchal to advise fishermen and ferry operators to stay in port.

How 2026 Stacks Up Against Other New-Year Storms

Comparative data reveal that the current episode is among the busiest starts to January in recent memory. The notorious Filomena low in 2021 triggered 96 call-outs; Francis has already reached 112. By contrast, 2024’s unusually warm January saw far fewer alerts, and records for 2022 and 2023 show only sporadic interventions. Climatologists point out that warmer ocean surfaces around Madeira can super-charge winter depressions, making violent gusts and short-lived cloudbursts increasingly common.

On the Ground: Where the Damage Is Concentrated

In the capital, Avenida do Mar briefly resembled a log jam as branches littered carriageways. The scenic road linking Cidrão to Curral das Freiras was closed after a mudslide swept over both lanes. Three separate grid failures darkened pockets of Santo António and Santa Cruz, though technicians restored electricity within the morning. Local councils kept community centres open late so residents without power could charge phones and pick up hot drinks.

Civil-Protection Response and Resources

A total of 112 responders and 53 vehicles and heavy machines rotated through shifts, according to regional commander António Mendes. Firefighters focused on sawing through toppled trees, while municipal engineers stabilised steep cuttings to deter further slippage. Coastal police patrolled promenades to dissuade risk-takers from photographing the breakers at close range. Mendes emphasised that “early public warnings and community drills” helped keep the toll to material losses only.

What Comes Next: Forecast and Safety Tips

Although the worst of Francis has passed, the IPMA keeps yellow alerts active for intermittent downpours, particularly on north- and west-facing slopes. Barometric models suggest a sequence of weaker lows will brush the island chain during the next 10 days, maintaining a pattern of showers, brief sunny spells and fresh winds. Residents are urged to:

Clear drainage gutters and garden debris before each rainfall pulse.

Monitor official apps for road-closure notices.

Avoid cliff-top walks when winds exceed 80 km/h.

Wider Significance for Mainland Portugal

For continental readers planning a winter escape, Madeira’s plight is a reminder that Atlantic microclimates can change abruptly. Airlines operate normally, but passengers should check departure slots; upstream disruptions often ripple into Lisboa and Porto schedules. Meanwhile, hydrologists note that persistent rain on the island feeds reservoirs supplying energy to both tourism hubs and banana plantations—a critical link in Portugal’s renewable-heavy electricity mix.

At a Glance: Key Numbers to Remember

• 112 total occurrences by 20:00 on day 4.

• 35 tree falls and 31 small landslides in the final count.

• 117 km/h peak gust clocked at Ponta de São Jorge.

• Zero casualties, underscoring the effectiveness of advance alerts.

The first Atlantic blow of 2026 therefore ends with a cautious sigh of relief: messy, costly, but survivable—provided vigilance does not wane as winter systems continue to parade across the ocean toward Portugal’s most exotic outpost.