Tornadoes Strike Portugal and Italy Amid Storm Claudia, Causing Fatalities and Damage

On November 15, 2025, a series of tornadoes struck parts of Portugal and Italy, resulting in fatalities, injuries, and significant property damage.

In Albufeira, located in Portugal's Algarve region, a tornado touched down around 11:00 local time, severely impacting the Albufeira Camping Park and the nearby Eden Resort Hotel. The tornado uprooted trees, overturned trailers, and caused extensive structural damage. An 85-year-old British woman was killed at the campsite, and 28 others were injured, including two seriously. Among the injured were six children aged between two months and seven years, all of whom sustained minor injuries.

The Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) indicated a high probability that the wind phenomenon was a tornado, based on radar images and the nature of the damage. However, a final classification requires a field survey.

President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa expressed his solidarity with the family of the victim and wished a speedy recovery to those injured.

In Varazze, Liguria, Italy, a waterspout made landfall around 10:15 UTC, causing significant damage, including overturned vehicles and landslides.

These tornadoes were part of a broader pattern of severe weather associated with Storm Claudia, which has affected parts of Portugal, Spain, and the United Kingdom. In Portugal, the storm resulted in three deaths: an elderly couple drowned in their home in Fernão Ferro due to overnight flooding, and the 85-year-old British woman killed in Albufeira. Additionally, 28 people were injured—two seriously—at a nearby hotel.

In the UK, Storm Claudia led to widespread flooding in southeastern Wales and parts of England. The town of Monmouth experienced severe flooding after a river burst its banks, prompting evacuations and rescues by emergency services. Natural Resources Wales issued multiple flood warnings and alerts, while the Environment Agency in England reported 49 active flood warnings and 134 flood alerts.

The occurrence of tornadoes in regions like the Algarve and Liguria, which are not traditionally associated with such severe weather phenomena, underscores the need for enhanced preparedness and response strategies. The impact on tourism, a significant economic sector in these areas, is also notable, as both the Albufeira Camping Park and Eden Resort Hotel are popular destinations.

Portuguese authorities, including Civil Protection and emergency services, responded promptly to the incidents. The IPMA continues to monitor weather conditions and has issued warnings for persistent and sometimes heavy rain accompanied by thunderstorms in affected regions.

While tornadoes are relatively rare in Europe compared to regions like the United States, their occurrence has been documented. The events in Albufeira and Varazze add to the list of European tornadoes in 2025, highlighting a potential increase in such phenomena.

These recent tornadoes in Portugal and Italy serve as a stark reminder of the evolving nature of climate-related disasters, emphasizing the need for adaptive strategies and international cooperation in disaster preparedness and response.