Storm Kristin has torn across mainland Portugal, leaving a trail of devastation that has claimed five lives and triggered more than 3,300 emergency calls nationwide.

Portuguese officials reported that the storm brought strong winds and heavy rainfall, leading to fatalities and extensive material damage in several regions. Four of the deaths occurred in the municipality of Leiria, north of the capital Lisbon, according to Mayor Goncalo Lopes.

Authorities said two of the deaths were directly linked to storm-related incidents, while two others resulted from cardiac arrest associated with the deteriorating weather conditions. A fifth fatality was reported in the town of Vila Franca de Xira, also north of Lisbon.

Civil protection officials reported extensive damage, including destroyed aircraft, damaged sports facilities, and major disruptions to railway and electricity services. Power outages continued in many parts of the country on Wednesday.

At the Bissaya Barreto Municipal Airport in Coimbra, strong overnight winds destroyed multiple aircraft and a maintenance hangar, causing losses exceeding one million euros, airport director Antonio Ferreira said.

Electricity distribution companies reported that approximately 529,000 customers were left without power, with around 1,200 workers deployed nationwide to restore services.

According to the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority, more than 3,300 incidents were recorded across the country between Tuesday and midday Wednesday. The hardest-hit areas included Leiria, Coimbra, Lisbon, the Setubal Peninsula, the Leziria do Tejo region, and Aveiro.

An official from the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere described the storm as a rare event, noting that similar conditions had not been seen since Hurricane Leslie in 2018.

Although weather conditions temporarily improved on Wednesday, authorities warned of further rainfall, strong winds, and rough seas later in the day. Weather alerts remain in effect for coastal areas due to high waves, while yellow warnings have been issued for northern and central regions amid expected rainfall.(ILKHA)