Portugal's Storm Crisis Deepens as Leiria Rejects Military Aid Repeatedly
Severe storms have battered Portugal since January 28, leaving at least 19 dead and causing billions in damage. The central region, Lisbon, and the Alentejo suffered the worst impacts. Amid the crisis, Leiria's local authority repeatedly declined military support, raising questions about coordination.
Defence Minister Nuno Melo reached out to Leiria's mayor, Gonçalo Lopes, on January 29 after returning to Portugal. He attempted to contact the mayor by phone and message, but received no response. Melo later suggested that storms may have disrupted communications, possibly explaining the lack of reply.
Initially, 1,200 soldiers were offered to assist Leiria, but the municipality refused. Instead, the troops were redeployed to the Lisbon region. Between February 1 and 2, the local authority also turned down military help to secure generators, citing fears of theft.
On February 2, Leiria rejected aerial drone support. The following day, it declined a field kitchen and extra navy personnel. The only request it approved was for nine beds, which the military provided.
The storms—Kristin, Leonardo, and Marta—have left widespread destruction across Portugal. While many regions accepted military aid, Leiria's limited engagement with support offers has drawn attention. The aftermath continues as recovery efforts push forward.
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