Storm Claudia, a weather system named by the Spanish Meteorological Service, has left a trail of destruction across Portugal, the United Kingdom, and Ireland, claiming at least three lives in Portugal and causing widespread flooding, power outages, and travel disruption throughout the region. The storm’s impact was felt most severely between Friday, November 14, and Sunday, November 16, 2025, as authorities scrambled to respond to rapidly changing conditions and mounting emergencies.
In Portugal, the storm’s fury was unmistakable. According to CNN Portugal, a tornado struck a campsite in Albufeira, Algarve, on Saturday, resulting in one fatality and injuring at least 21 people. The tornado was confirmed by meteorologist Paula Leitão, who emphasized the rarity and severity of such an event in the region. Elsewhere in Portugal, an 85-year-old British national was killed by a fallen tree, and a couple lost their lives in a flood in Fernão Ferro, in the municipality of Seixal, greater Lisbon. The north and south of the country faced heavy flooding, with families left homeless in areas like Santa Maria da Feira and Vila do Conde. Several districts, including Braga, Faro, Setúbal, and Beja, were placed on orange alert, while others were under yellow warnings due to the risk of heavy rain and thunderstorms.
Meanwhile, in the United Kingdom, Storm Claudia unleashed torrential rain and fierce winds, particularly affecting Wales and England. BBC and The Guardian reported that Monmouth, a town in southeast Wales, was especially hard-hit. Nearly 12 centimeters of rain fell overnight, causing the River Monnow to burst its banks and submerge most of the town. Aerial footage captured the devastation: roads underwater, cars and businesses along the main street inundated, and residents waking up to scenes reminiscent of a disaster film. Emergency services declared a major incident in the early hours of Saturday, November 16, and worked tirelessly to rescue stranded residents and carry out evacuations.
Peter Fox, a Conservative member of the Welsh Parliament, reflected on the scale of the disaster, stating, “I personally haven’t seen it so bad for probably 40 years.” His sentiment was echoed by South Wales Fire and Rescue area manager Matt Jones, who said, “This is a large-scale incident, and our crews and partners have been working tirelessly through the night and into today to help those affected. I want to thank everyone involved for the professionalism and care they continue to show in very difficult circumstances.” Jones also urged the public to avoid the Monmouth area, warning, “The flooding is significant, and we need to keep routes clear to allow emergency services to reach the people who need us most. If you are in immediate danger with threat to life or property, or need urgent assistance, please call 999.”
The Environment Agency’s response was swift and robust. As of 11 a.m. on Saturday, November 16, it had issued 68 flood warnings and 161 flood alerts in England, with 42 flood warnings still in place by Sunday. Over 100 flood alerts were active across England on Friday, November 14, with the Midlands, North, and South West particularly affected. Three flood warnings were in place in Keswick and Carlisle. Environment Agency teams were out clearing debris from watercourses and preparing to operate flood defenses as needed. Ben Lukey, Flood Duty Manager at the Environment Agency, cautioned, “Minor surface water and river flooding impacts are ongoing across the north of England today. Storm Claudia will bring heavy prolonged rainfall across parts of England, with significant surface water flooding probable across parts of central England on Friday, while significant river flooding impacts are also possible tomorrow and into Saturday.”
The Met Office played a critical role in keeping the public informed, issuing amber warnings for rain from Friday midday through midnight, with up to 150mm of rain expected in some parts of Wales. A 24-hour yellow weather warning for wind and rain was also in effect across southern England, the Midlands, parts of Wales, and southern Scotland. Met Office Chief Meteorologist Matthew Lehnert explained, “Storm Claudia will bring very heavy rainfall to a large swathe of central and southern England and Wales on Friday into Saturday. This rain will become slow moving, and some areas could see up to a month’s worth of rain in 24 hours. Much of this will fall on saturated ground, increasing the chances of flooding and contributing to the Amber warnings we have issued.”
Travel disruption was widespread, with several rail lines in the UK disrupted by high water or fallen trees. Strong winds, with gusts of 60-70 mph possible in exposed areas, caused additional hazards, particularly in northwest England and northwest Wales. In the West Midlands, Staffordshire, and Manchester, flooding and uprooted trees led to blocked roads and further challenges for emergency services.
In Ireland, the storm left about 5,000 homes, farms, and businesses without power on Saturday morning, highlighting the storm’s reach beyond the UK and Portugal. Northern Ireland was not spared, with a yellow weather warning for rain in place until midday Saturday and up to 44mm of rain expected.
Officials and emergency responders consistently urged the public to exercise caution. Alun Attwood, Duty Tactical Manager Wales at Natural Resources Wales, stressed the seriousness of the situation: “The amber and yellow rain warnings in place from the early hours of Friday and into Saturday are expected to bring significant impacts across Wales. With rivers already swollen and the ground saturated, we expect to see many flood alerts and warnings issued as a result of Storm Claudia. We’re urging people to be vigilant and to make preparations for potential flooding now.” Residents were repeatedly warned not to drive through floodwater, as just 30cm of flowing water can float a car—a sobering reminder of nature’s power.
Looking ahead, the UK faces a dramatic shift in weather. The Met Office forecasted that, as Storm Claudia clears, temperatures could plummet to -7°C next week, with snow a possibility. The weekend was expected to bring a transition to a colder airmass, especially in the north, with overnight frosts and a generally drier and brighter spell of weather. In contrast, the far south would remain cloudy and wet before eventually clearing and joining the rest of the country under colder, drier conditions by the start of the following week.
Storm Claudia’s passage has served as a stark reminder of the unpredictable force of nature and the importance of preparation, coordination, and community spirit in the face of adversity. As the cleanup begins and floodwaters recede, those affected across Portugal, the UK, and Ireland are left counting the cost—and hoping for calmer days ahead.
