More than 200 flights were cancelled, while schools, hundreds of supermarkets and businesses remained closed on Wednesday as Storm Charles battered Portugal with torrential rain and gale-force winds.

Although the storm was less severe than initially expected, the government – which had faced criticism over its slow response to storms in January and February – took precautionary measures. It placed all emergency services and army units on alert, suspended classes, closed non-essential public services and advised people to remain at home.

Portugal’s weather service, the Portuguese Institute for the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA), said the storm’s eye had split in two over the Atlantic Ocean, reducing its intensity as it reached the Algarve region in the south of the country.

Así bajan los barrancos en Madeira tras las lluvias de esta noche de la mano de #Charles. En algunas estaciones del @ipma_pt se han superado los 200 mm sólo en lo que llevamos de día. https://t.co/e3PPGB9yDA

— MeteoBadajoz (@MeteoBadajoz) November 11, 2026

The storm was expected to affect most of southern Portugal and the Lisbon region until late afternoon.

Civil Protection commander Mário Silvestre said the authorities remained on high alert for flash floods, strong winds and rough seas, having recorded 538 incidents since midnight.

Storm Charles had already passed through the Madeira archipelago, causing flooding and bringing down trees. Emergency services rescued a man who was swept away by floodwaters after his garage flooded on the island of Madeira. No casualties were reported.

Since Sunday, Portugal and neighbouring Spain have been hit by heavy rainfall brought by Storm Bruna, with flooding reported in several areas. These included road tunnels in Lisbon, most of which remained closed on Wednesday.