Strong tides are expected today, tomorrow and Saturday, the 19th, 20th and 21st of February, so there may be flooding in the riverside areas of Tavira, Santa Luzia, Faro (Dock), Portimão or Ferragudo, among others along the southern Algarve coast.
For this reason, the Captaincy of the Port of Tavira and the Municipal Civil Protection Service of this municipality have already issued warnings for the possibility of flooding due to overflow of water lines in historically more vulnerable areas, damage to infrastructure and equipment that may be submerged, possible accidents on the coastline, flooding of underground urban structures with drainage deficiencies and even the impact of public services and local commerce located in the most vulnerable areas.
Bruno Gonçalves, amateur meteorologist responsible for Meteophons website, told the Sul Informação that “fortunately we don't have any storm situation associated with these tides. If that happened, the height of the tide could be further intensified and make the situation more delicate».
In any case, he added, "with such high tides, it is to be expected that in areas closer to the sea or river inlets (Ferragudo is one case), there may be an “overtopping” of the waters to normally “dry” areas”.
"This is nothing that hasn't happened in previous years, there isn't exactly a 'danger' here, but a situation in which people in these places should pay more attention, in order to safeguard some goods that may be more exposed." he said.
As for the large predicted tides, and referring to data from Porto de Lagos, Bruno Gonçalves revealed that «this dawn we already had a tide of 3,82 meters, but the highest will be the next morning on Friday, with 3,91m. At dawn on Saturday, we will have another one of 3,89m».
Taking into account its situation, the area most affected by these spring tides is usually downtown Tavira, located along the Gilão River.
Hence, the Municipal Civil Protection Service has advised the population in general, especially merchants and residents in the city's downtown, to remove "equipment and articles that are close to the ground, liable to be damaged by the ingress of water", to guarantee "unblocking rainwater drainage systems and removing inert materials and other objects that may be dragged or create obstacles to the free flow of water", which do not cross the "flooded areas, in order to prevent the dragging of people or vehicles to holes in the pavement or open sewer boxes', which, during these three days, avoid 'parking vehicles downtown', who have 'attention to driving vehicles, particularly on roads that may be flooded' and respect 'cuts' of roads or indications of alternative routes" and even if they take "double care with activities related to the river and riverside walks".
Meteorologist Bruno Gonçalves also explained to Sul Informação that these great tides have to do with the Spring Equinox and therefore usually happen at this time of year. "The approach of the Sun to the Equator (equinox on March 21) provokes an intensification of the tides, especially during a New Moon situation."
Photos: Nuno Loureiro / file
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